Malek Razak Begins Duties As 24th Chief Of Defence Force Today

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- General Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman officially began his duties as the 24th Chief of Defence Force (CDF) today.

He arrived at Wisma Pertahanan at 2.15 pm, where he received a salute and inspected the Main Guard of Honour from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

Malek Razak later raised the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) flag in front of his office, symbolising the official commencement of his duties as the 24th CDF.

Army Chief General Datuk Azhan Md Othman, Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain and Air Force Chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris also attended the welcoming ceremony.

On Jan 31, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced the appointment of Malek Razak, who previously served as the Army Western Field Commander, as the new CDF, effective Feb 1.

Malek Razak, 60, began his military career as an Overseas Cadet Officer at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, United Kingdom, in 1985, before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on Dec 11, 1987.

Throughout nearly 40 years of service, he has held various key positions, including Platoon Commander in the 21st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

-- BERNAMA