Change In Brunei Military Leadership

BRUNEI’S armed forces comprising the Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF), Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), and Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) have received new leadership.

The RBLF Commander, Brigadier General Shanonnizam Sulaiman ended his 27-year military career which officially began in 1996 after he completed officer cadet training at the United Kingdom’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Brig Gen Shanonnizam took on the service’s top job on June 9 2023. However, his replacement has yet to be announced.

RBN Captain Sahibul Bahari took over the helm of the Navy from the outgoing acting commander, Capt Haji Mohamad Sarif Pudin. Capt Sahibul was commissioned from the United Kingdom’s Royal Britannia Naval College in Dartmouth in November 1996. As a qualified Specialist Communication Officer, Mine Hunting Officer, and Principal Warfare Officer. He also participated in various operations, including the Command Team for Command Task Group Counter Piracy 151 (CTG151) in Somalia as well as HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) operations in Tacloban during the Haiyan Typhoon in 2013.

Meanwhile, the outgoing RBAirF Commander Brig Gen Mohammad Sharif handed over the reins to his deputy, Colonel Haji Haszahaidi. Brig Gen Mohammad Sharif had commanded the RBAirF since August 28 2020. The incoming commander, Col Haji Haszahaidi had served as the branch’s deputy commander since April 1 2022. He received his commission as an RBAirF Second Lieutenant in July 1995, going on to become a Bolkow BO 105 helicopter pilot and instructor.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:BRUNEI MINDEF)