Mohd Nizam Jaffar

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

Mohd Nizam bin Jaffar (born 3 August 1966) is a Malaysian military officer who has been serving as the 23rd Chief of Defence Forces since January 2025.^[3][4][1][5]

Yang Berbahagia General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar PMN PSD SSPK PSAT DSDK PMW PAT SMP SDK KMN BCK PPS PPA PJM PNBB
23rd Chief of Defence Forces
Incumbent
Assumed office 31 January 2025
Monarch	Ibrahim Iskandar
Minister	Mohamed Khaled Nordin
Preceded by	Mohammad Ab Rahman
Personal details
Born	Mohd Nizam bin Jaffar (1966-08-03) 3 August 1966 (age 59) Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Spouse	Risia Sheikh Ali Omar Bajarai[1]
Children	1
Education	Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Alma mater	University of Nottingham (MBA)[2]
Occupation	Military officer
Military service
Allegiance	Malaysia
Branch/service	Malaysian Army
Rank	General
Unit	Royal Malay Regiment
Battles/wars	Second Malayan Emergency

Early life and education

Mohd Nizam bin Jaffar was born on 3 August 1966 in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. He received his early education at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He also successfully completed his professional military education at the National Resilience College (MKN), National Defense Studies Center (PUSPAHANAS), Putrajaya in 2020 where he successfully won The National Resilience College (NRC) Award by the NRC Directing Staff Council. He has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nottingham and was awarded as a Fellow Scholar of the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM).

Military career

Mohd Nizam's career in the military field began as a platoon leader in the 19th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (Mechanized) and was then responsible as aide de camp to the deputy chief of the Army (1989-1990), to the commander of the Armed Forces (1990 to 1992) and to the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (2011-2016).^[6]

Mohd Nizam also served as the commander of the Second Brigade of the Malaysian Infantry, Ipoh and was subsequently appointed as the director of training management at the Army Training and Doctrine Command Headquarters (MPLDTD), Port Dickson. Before serving as assistant chief of staff for member services (AKS PA) at the Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters - Member Services Division (MK ATM - BPA), he held the position as MKN commander, Pusat Pengajian Pertahanan Nasional (PUSPAHANAS), Putrajaya.

Mohd Nizam also created history as the first senior Malaysian Army officer to be selected to attend the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) Peace Support Operations Contingent Commander Course in Monterey, California, United States, before being appointed as Malaysian battalion commander (MALBATT) 2 in Lebanon.^[6]

Mohd Nizam was appointed as the 23rd Chief of Defence Forces on 31 January 2025, succeeding Mohammad Ab Rahman.^[7] His appointment is a historic departure from tradition, as it saw the armed forces chief not selected from the current chiefs of the army, navy, and air force. Following his appointment as the military's top leadership, he is promoted from Lieutenant-General to General.^[7]

Personal life

Mohd Nizam is married to Risia Sheikh Ali Omar Bajarai and have one child.

Honours

Honours of Malaysia

• Malaysia :
  • Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (PMN) – Tan Sri (2025)^[8][9]
  • Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal Family of Malaysia (PSD) – Datuk (2014)^[10]
  • Officer of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (KMN) (2010)^[11]
  • Recipient of the Loyal Service Medal (PPS)^{[note 1]}
  • Recipient of the General Service Medal (PPA)^{[note 2]}
  • Recipient of the United Nations Missions Service Medal (PNBB) with "LEBANON" clasp
  • Recipient of the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal (2012)
  • Recipient of the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal (2017)
  • Recipient of the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal (2019)
  • Recipient of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal (2024)
• Malaysian Armed Forces :
  • Loyal Commander of the Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PSAT)
  • Warrior of the Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PAT)
  • Recipient of the Malaysian Service Medal (PJM)
• Federal Territory (Malaysia) :
  • Commander of the Order of the Territorial Crown (PMW) – Datuk (2012)^[12]
• Johor :
  • Recipient of Sultan Ibrahim Ismail Coronation Medal (2015)
• Kedah :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Glorious Order of the Loyal Warrior of Kedah (SSPK) – Dato' Seri Pahlawan (2025)^[13][14]
  • Knight Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (DSDK) – Dato' (2014)^[15]
  • Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (SDK) (2008)^[16]
  • State of Kedah Distinguished Service Star (BCK) (2002)^[17]
• Pahang :
  • Companion of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (SMP) (2005)^[18]

Foreign honours

• United Nations :
  • Recipient of the UNIFIL Medal

Notes

1. Serving no less than 18 years.
2. Serving no less than 10 years.