Zaini Mohamad Said

Zaini was born in Ulu Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan. He had his early education in Kuala Lumpur during his father serve with Royal Malaysia Police as instructor drill.

Zaini joined the Army as a cadet officer in 1963. He had held many appointments throughout his career in the Malaysian Army and spent about 25 of his 35 years of service with the Malaysian Army and its special forces.

He was vastly experienced in the command of elite and regular army formations. He was deputy commander of the 21 Gerup Gerak Khas, later commander of the 10 Parachute Brigade and later appointed the general officer commanding (GOC) of the 3rd Infantry Division based in Peninsular Malaysia.

He attended the US Marine Corps Command and Staff College course in 1978–79, and later the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College course in Kuala Lumpur in 1985. He was a graduate of the National Defence College course in Pakistan. In 1997, he attended the Asian Institute of Management Top Management Course in Phuket, Thailand. In 2000, he participated in the seminar program for senior executive in national and international security in Harvard University, USA.

His last posting was as army field commander (Malay: panglima medan). He retired from the Army in August 2001 with the rank lieutenant general (Malay: leftenan jeneral).

Mohamed Amin Mohamed Razaliu led a band of 29 Al-Mau'nah men in a mission to overthrow the Malaysian government. The group included a serving Mejar in the Malaysian Army. They dressed up as senior army officers making a surprise inspection of the Battalion 304 Rejimen Askar Wataniah camp at the Temenggor Dam in Gerik, Perak. The group raided the armouries and took away 97 M16 assault rifles, four GPMGs, five grenade launchers, 9,095 rounds of 5.56 mm, 60 rounds of 40 mm ammunition and communication equipment. They then retreated to their prepared positions at Bukit Jenalik, Sauk in Perak.

As the Army corps commander, Zaini was the most senior Army personnel on the scene. Amin wanted to meet Zaini[1] Together with Asisten Supritendan Polis Abdul Razak Mohd. Yusof, he tried to negotiate with the Al-Ma'unah members to lay down their arms and surrender. Amin was about to shoot Zaini when the latter warded off the gun which was then fired by Amin. The burst of gunfire hit one of Amin's followers, Halim, killing him instantly." (NST 7 July 2000 front-page story)[2]

Bernama reported that Zaini was disappointed about allegations that the Sauk Incident was stage managed to discredit parti Islam Se Malaysia, the Islam-based opposition party. The allegation was made despite the shooting to death of commando Mathew anak Medan and police detective Sarjan R. Sagadevan and the gunshot wounds incurred by Sarjan Ukoon anak Pungkok. Zaini claimed the allegations were made by groups with a political agenda. He claimed the allegations had belittled the sacrifices of the security forces and was most disgusting and humiliating to the security forces whose achievements and devotion to duty had received world recognition.[3]

Zaini was appointed a director of Opcom Holdings Berhad on 12 September 2003 and made chairman of the Audit Committee. He is also a director of a public listed company, AV Ventures Corporation Berhad (formerly known as Autoindustries Ventures Berhad). He is the chairman of RMS Technology Sdn. Bhd.

Zaini was quoted by the Agence France Presse, 3 February 2002 as saying that a military conflict may break out if the issue of water supply between Singapore and Malaysia is not resolved properly. "In this context, it is crucial the issue of water is addressed with caution by the leaders and the governments of the two countries. A military conflict must be avoided because it will only hurt both countries," he was quoted as saying in the Mingguan Malaysia.[4]

Zaini was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP), Malaysia's highest gallantry award for his role during the Al Mau'nah siege.[5][6]