KUALA LUMPUR: Jeneral Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman has been officially appointed as the 24th Armed Forces Chief.
The appointment was officiated by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at Wisma Pertahanan yesterday.
Earlier, Mohamed Khaled also officiated the rank conferment ceremony for Malek Razak, from Leftenan Jeneral to Jeneral.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces’ Intelligence and Defence Strategic Communication division said Malek Razak’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the military, which is navigating heightened expectations to strengthen public confidence and uphold institutional credibility amid an increasingly complex security landscape.
“The role of the Armed Forces Chief now extends beyond operational command, requiring strong moral authority and a firm commitment to professional military values.
“In the current environment, senior leaders are expected to serve not only as strategic commanders but also as custodians of integrity, discipline and organisational principles,” a statement said.
The appointment is also seen as particularly significant, as the Armed Forces undergo a period of institutional review and renewal with an emphasis on improving governance, accountability and leadership integrity.
“The new chief is entrusted with setting a clear strategic direction anchored in transparency, discipline and adherence to the core values of military service.
Ranking up: Malek Razak (centre) being conferred Jeneral during the rank conferment ceremony at Wisma Pertahanan in Kuala Lumpur. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
“His leadership is expected to unite personnel across all ranks through example, firm action against misconduct and strong support for institutional checks and balances, which are regarded as essential to restoring internal resilience.
“The leadership transition is an opportunity for a comprehensive institutional reset encompassing work culture, management systems and leadership practices, aimed at rebuilding trust both within the organisation and among the public, while reinforcing the Armed Forces’ readiness as a professional, respected and principled defence institution.
The new Armed Forces Chief holds a Diploma in Strategic and Security Studies from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College London and a Master of Social Science (Defence Studies) from UKM.
He started his military career in 1985 as an Overseas Cadet Officer at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom, and was commissioned as a Second Leftenan on Dec 11, 1987.
Malek Razak began his career as a platoon commander with the 21st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment before serving in various units and holding numerous command and staff appointments.
His last post before the appointment was as Western Field Commander of the Army.
