Navy chief retires after 41 years of service

Plain sailing: Abdul Aziz, accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Sarah Tun Ab Ghafar, giving a final salute during his farewell ceremony at the Defence Ministry. He is being succeeded by Ahmad Kamarulzaman (inset).

KUALA LUMPUR: Like that famous refrain from Frank Sinatra’s classic My Way, Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar “has no regrets”.

After 41 years – seven of which was spent helming TLDM – Laksamana Abdul Aziz is finally “sailing off” into retirement.

“The 41 years, four months and 16 days have been very memorable to me. The seven years spent as Navy chief even more so.

“It was an honour to have served in the Navy and led it.

“I have no regrets,” he said after the handing over ceremony witnessed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamm­uddin Tun Hussein.

The outgoing Royal Malaysian Navy chief is taking mandatory leave before officially retiring in May next year.

He is succeeded by Laksamana Datuk Seri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, who was officially appointed yesterday.

Humble and articulate, Admiral Aziz is also tech savvy, always keeping the people, especially reporters, up to date via social media.

 

“Who am I without the media. It is a symbiosis as we are here to help each other and keep the people well informed,” he said.

With many sacrifices to his name throughout his career, Laksamana Aziz said he was now looking forward to spending time with his family.

“If I can name my favourite moment in my career, it would be earning an honorary doctorate from a local university.

“It is quite unprecedented for a Navy chief,” he said.

Laksamana Ahmad Kamarulzaman said he had big shoes to fill, adding that his predecessor had left quite a legacy.

“I will try my best to uphold the honour of the Navy.

“It is quite an honour to be given the opportunity to take the helm,” he said.

Hishammuddin said Laksamana Abdul Aziz would be sorely missed but hoped that he would continue contributing to the Navy and the ministry via other means.