Raja Mohamed Affandi

Raja Mohamed Affandi was born into a descendant of royal families (hence prefix Yang Mulia ('His Highness') instead of Yang Berbahagia ('The Honorable')) on 20 June 1957, at Kampung Raja, Besut, Terengganu.[3]

He received his primary education at Sekolah Kg Raja, Besut, and secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Sultan Ismail. He later attends Pre-Officer Cadet Training Unit (Pre-OCTU) at Sebatang Karah Camp, Port Dickson before continues his training as Cadet Officer at Royal Military College, Sungai Besi. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant (Malay: Leftenan Muda) on 11 May 1977 and assigned to the Royal Malay Regiment.[1]

He continues his study while he is still in the service. He obtains Master in Defence Studies from University of New South Wales and Master of Science in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University.[1]

General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi was directly involved in Second Malayan Emergency during his early days as an army officer. He has led his unit as platoon commander and later as company commander fighting with communist insurgents. He then proceeded his military career as Aide-de-camp to Deputy Chief of Army, Lead Instructor at Army Basic Training Centre (Malay: Pusat Latihan Asas Tentera Darat — PUSASDA), Commander of 18th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (18 RAMD), Staff Officer 1 at National Operations Council (now National Security Council), Administration Staff Officer 1 at Army Human Resources Branch, chief-of-staff at 3rd Division Headquarters, assistant chief-of-staff at Army Planning and Development and Commander of 2nd Division.[1]

He was promoted to Lieutenant General on 2 June 2008 and entrusted to hold Army Field Commander (Malay: Panglima Medan Tentera Darat) position. On 31 October 2009, he was assigned to chief-of-staff of Malaysian Armed Forces (Malay: Ketua Staf Angkatan Tentera Malaysia) post. He then promoted to rank general on 15 June 2013, and in the same time promoted to Chief of Army (Malay: Panglima Tentera Darat — PTD) position.[1]

With his vast experience in the military and administration, he then promoted to the 19th Chief of Defence Forces on 16 December 2016, replacing General Zulkifeli Mohd Zain who has retired from the Armed Forces.[2]

Raja Mohamed Affandi retired from armed forces on 20 June 2018. His position as Chief of Defence Forces is succeeded by General Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin.[4]

General Tan Sri Dato' Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi is married to Puan Sri Datin Sri Norlida binti Hj Abdul Mubin and together were blessed with 3 daughters and one son.[1]