Changes To Army Leadership

SHAH ALAM: Changes to Army leadership. Six months after the change at the top leadership – due to mandatory retirement – the Army has a change of command for its number two. The 24th Army Deputy Chief Lt Gen Hasagaya Abdullah handed over the job to Lt Gen Mohammad Ab Rahman in a ceremony at the Army’s headquarters at the Defence Ministry on 18 December, Tentera Darat posted on its official Facebook page.

The Army deputy chief change of command ceremony, Hasagaya left) and Muhammad right). BTDM

We got a hint of the change of command on Dec. 16 when Hasagaya paid a courtesy visit to the Defence Minister though at that point, it was not confirmed that he will be leaving the Army deputy chief post.

A graphic on the appointment of Lt. Gen Muhammad Ab Rahman as the 25th Army Deputy Chief. 3 Div

Hasagaya, 57, has been appointed as the vice-chancellor of the National Defence University (UPNM). The last time this happened was when the then Army chief was sent to UPNM. Hasagaya’s successor, Muhammad was the immediate Army Western Field Commander. He was appointed to the job in June, shortly after Gen Zamrose Mohd Zain was appointed as the Army chief replacing General Hasbullah Mohd Nawawi.

Lt Gen Hasagaya Abdullah

Hasagaya was promoted as the Army Deputy Chief in October, 2018. He was among the first deputies to be promoted to the position from a divisional command instead of the more senior post, the field command. The appointment of Muhammad seemed to indicate that it had been reverted, though its likely that it will depend on the circumstances.

Anyhow, another change of command also took place in late November. On 29th November, the 10th Brigade Para got its 20th Commander, with Brigadier General Khairul Azmizal Ahmad Natal taking over from Brigadier General Semaon Marjuki.

10th Para Brigade change of command ceremony between brigadiers, Semaon Marjuki (left) and Khairul Azmizal Ahmad Natal. Army chief Zamrose Mohd Zain is in the back. BTDM

This will be Khairul Azmizal’s second stint as the commander of the Para Brigade, he was the 18th commander from Oct, 23, 2018 to 18 July, 2019.

10th Para Brigade 20th Commander Brigadier Khairul Azmizal Ahmad Natal with his paras doing warmup prior to leading a combat obstacle course. BTDM.

–Malaysian Defence