Jaafar Abdul Aziz

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Abdul Aziz is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Mohd Jaafar. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Mohd Jaafar bin Haji Abdul Aziz is a Bruneian aristocrat, businessman and former military officer who served as the third Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) from 1999 until 2001,^[1] and the sixth Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) from 2001 to 2003.

Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Pahlawan Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Jaafar Abdul Aziz DPKT DSLJ SMB
جعفر عبدالعزيز
Pehin Jaafar in 2024
6th Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces
In office 2 April 2001 (2001-04-02) – 27 March 2003 (2003-03-27)
Monarch	Hassanal Bolkiah
Preceded by	Shari Ahmad
Succeeded by	Halbi Mohammad Yussof
3rd Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force
In office 29 October 1999 (1999-10-29) – 31 January 2001 (2001-01-31)
Preceded by	Shari Ahmad
Succeeded by	Halbi Mohd Yussof
Personal details
Born	6 August 1947 Brunei
Relations	Mariam Abdul Aziz (sister)
Parent(s)	Abdul Aziz Abdullah (father) Pengiran Hajah Rashida (mother)
Alma mater	Officer Cadet School, Portsea Australian Defence College
Occupation	Military officer businessman
Military service
Allegiance	Brunei
Branch/service	Royal Brunei Land Force
Years of service	1969–2003
Rank	Major General
Unit	'B' Company
Commands	Royal Brunei Armed Forces Royal Brunei Land Force

Military career

After enlisting and completing basic training, he then joined the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR) as an officer on 30 June 1969, later promoted to junior officer on 11 December 1970.^[2] During a military exercise in Berakas Camp in 1969, Cadet Jaafar was among the servicemen awarded by Prince Mohamed for excellence in shooting.^[3] During the 10th Anniversary of the founding of the RBMR in 1971, the junior lieutenant was among the soldiers in the parade holding the flag of Colonel-in-chief.^[4] In 1991, he attended the Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC) at the Australian Defence College in Canberra. On 28 October 1999, Colonel Jaafar succeeded Shari Ahmad as the Commander of the RBLF.^[5][1] He became a major general on 1 February 2001.^[2] Later on 2 April, he assumed leadership of the RBAF. In 2002, he called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Tony Tan in Singapore.^[6] On 8 May, him alongside Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah welcomed Thailand's Chief of Defence Forces, Narong Yuthavong.^[7]

Later life

After his military career, he became a member of the Veterans Association of Royal Brunei Armed Forces (PERWIRA),^[8] and the advisor to the Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam Masjid Improvement Committee.^[9] In addition to this, Jaafar is the chairman of Richland Insurance since 2004, and board of directors of HSE Engineering.^[10] Prior to their departure for the Asia Softball Masters 2022, team managers were given the national flag by the president of the Brunei Amateur Softball and Baseball Association (BASBA), Jaafar, at the Brunei International Airport.^[11] In a ceremony in 2023, donations were given to 61 less fortunate groups from Kampong Jerudong 'A' and 'B' and 58 orphans. Jaafar, a consultant for Kampong Jerudong 'A' Consultative Council, delivered the gifts.^[12]

Personal life

Jaafar is married to Datin Hajah Salbiah binti Mohd Yusof, and together they are known to have two sons, Mohammed Nazlee^[13] and Abdul Azeez,^[14] and a daughter, Athiyyah As'ad.^[15] He is also the brother of Hajah Mariam and Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Dato Setia Haji Mohd Samid.^[16]

32 Brunei Darussalam Association of Senior Golfers (BDASG) golfers were in Chiang Mai for the competition that takes place from 27 to 29 October 2015. The team is vying for six championship trophies under the direction of Pehin Dato Jaafar.^[17]

Legacy

Things named after him

• Jalan Pehin Mohd Jaafar, a road in Tutong Camp^[18]

Honours

National

Jaafar was awarded the Manteri title of Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Pahlawan.^[19] Known honours awarded to him are;^[19]

• Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang First Class (DPKT; 15 July 2001) – Dato Paduka Seri^[20]
• Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Second Class (DSLJ) – Dato Seri Laila Jasa
• Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Third Class (SMB)
• Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)
• Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
• National Day Silver Jubilee Medal (23 February 2009)
• Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal (31 May 1986)
• Royal Brunei Armed Forces Golden Jubilee Medal (31 May 2011)
• Royal Brunei Armed Forces Diamond Jubilee Medal (31 May 2021)
• General Service Medal (Armed Forces)
• Long Service Medal and Good Conduct (PKLPB)

Foreign

• Indonesia:
  • Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama (BYD; 26 February 2003)^[21]
• Malaysia:
  • Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN; 2000) – Datuk^[22]
  • Courageous Commander of The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PGAT; 2001)^[23]
• Singapore:
  • Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) (PJG; 13 January 2001)^[24]
  • Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) (DUBC; 20 September 2002)^[25]