Affendi Buang is new Malaysian Armed Forces chief

Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Jen Tan Sri Affendi Buang (right) is the 21st Malaysian Armed Forces chief. He takes over from Jen Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin (left) who has retired. Looking on is Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu who witnessed the handing over of duties ceremony on Jan 2. NORAFIFI EHSAN / The Star.

KUALA LUMPUR: Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief Jen Tan Sri Affendi Buang is the 21st Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) chief.

Jen Affendi takes over from Jen Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin who has retired.

In his speech, Jen Zulkifli said he was thankful to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for giving him the opportunity to lead the MAF from June 2018 to January 2020.

"I am confident that the MAF will continue to strive forward and enhance its strength in protecting and defending the Malaysia we all love.

"I hope that everyone involved in the MAF will give their full support to my successor," he said after handing over duties to Jen Affendi on Thursday (Jan 2).

The ceremony was witnessed by Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.

Jen Affendi is the second Royal Malaysian Air Force chief to take over as the MAF head.

He is the first Sarawakian to helm MAF.

He joined the MAF as a Cadet Officer in 1980 and was selected to undergo basic flight training at RMAF Alor Setar Air Base the following year.

A trained fighter pilot, Jen Affendi is one of the founders of the Smokey Bandits aerobatics teams which utilised the MiG-29. He led the aerobatics teams while he was on duty as the 17/19 Squadrons Commanding Officer.

Throughout his career as a flight operator, Jen Affendi has always been known as a skilled fighter pilot.

He was actively involved in several air operations including Close Air Support and Battlefield Interdiction Mission fighting the Communists in the 1980s.

The new RMAF chief will be named on Friday (Jan 3).