Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin (born 14 June 1956) is the 18th and the former Chief of Defence Forces of

Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...

Education

He was educated at Sultan Ismail College (SIC) in

Kelantan Kelantan (; Kelantan-Pattani Malay, Kelantanese Malay: ''Klate''; ) is a state in Malaysia. The capital, Kota Bharu, includes the royal seat of Kubang Kerian. The honorific, honorific name of the state is ''Darul Naim'' ("The Blissful Abode"). ...

. In 1974, upon completion of his cadet training in Sandhurst, he was first commissioned as a second lieutenant to the 2nd

Royal Malay Regiment The Royal Malay Regiment (; Jawi: ) is the premier unit of the Malaysian Army's two infantry regiments. At its largest, the Malay Regiment comprised 27 battalions. At present, three battalions are parachute trained and form part of the Malaysia ...

as a platoon commander on 9 August 1974. He holds a

Master of Science A Master of Science (; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree. In contrast to the Master of Arts degree, the Master of Science degree is typically granted for studies in sciences, engineering and medici ...

degree from the

National Defense University National Defence (or Defense) University (or College) may refer to: :''Alphabetical by country'' University * Marshal Fahim National Defense University, Afghanistan * National Defense University (Azerbaijan) * People's Liberation Army National Defe ...

. He is also a graduate from the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College (MTAT) and the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College (MPAT). Both colleges have since been consolidated as one under the National Defense Studies Centre (Puspahanas).

Military career (1974–2016)

Throughout his military career, he has held various positions ranging from platoon commander to

commanding officer The commanding officer (CO) or commander, or sometimes, if the incumbent is a general officer, commanding general (CG), is the officer in command of a military unit. The commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually give ...

. He also held staff positions in the Army Headquarters and Training Institute. This included stints as Staff Officer of the Army Headquarters as well as the Trick Trainer at the Army Training Centre of

Johor Bahru Johor Bahru, abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Johor. It is the core city of Johor Bahru District, Malaysia's second-largest district by population and the second-largest district economy. Covering an area of ...

. Between 1999 and 2000, he was the Infantry Director of the Army Headquarters. During his rank of colonel, he was the commandant of Army Combat Training Centre (PULADA) and Resource Colonel in the Army Headquarters. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in 2002 had been hold the office of assistant commander of Reserve Services Division. He also commanded 8th Infantry Brigade (8 Bgd) from 2003 to 2004 in Kelantan. He was then promoted as the rank of major general and was entrusted by the military high command to lead the International Monitoring Team Mission – Mindanao as the commander of the Monitoring Team between 9 October 2004 and 31 August 2005. Then, he was the 3rd Infantry Division (3 Div) Commander from 17 October 2005 to 31 January 2007. He was the commander of Army Field Headquarters from 2 January 2007 to 1 June 2008. As a dedicated leader, he was appointed deputy army commander on 2 June 2008 – serving until 20 May 2010 upon which he was appointed Chief of Army (). Due to high confidence in him, he was appointed as the 18th Chief of Defence Forces effective on 15 June 2011. He retired on 16 December 2016.

Director General of National Security Council (2016–2018)

He was appointed as the 1st Director General of

National Security Council A national security council (NSC) is usually an executive branch governmental body responsible for coordinating policy on national security issues and advising chief executives on matters related to national security. An NSC is often headed by a n ...

(NSC; ) on 15 August 2016, when he still holding the post of Chief of Defence Forces. He has been the first-ever with military background appointed to the seat. Before this, the title for NSC chief is 'Secretary General' and given only to Senior Civil Servant in Malaysian Government. He was replaced by Engku Hamzah Tuan Mat as director general of NSC beginning 1 September 2018.

Personal life

He is married to Puan Sri

Datin Seri Datin was an oracular deity also associated with oaths and justice worshipped in pre-Islamic northern Arabia The Arabian Peninsula (, , or , , ) or Arabia, is a peninsula in West Asia, situated north-east of Africa on the Arabian plate. At , ...

Umi Kalsom Wan Awang and together had two daughters.

Honours

Honours of Malaysia

* : ** Commander of the

Order of the Defender of the Realm The Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm () is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country. The Order Motto are 'Dipeliharakan Allah-Pangkuan Negara' (By the Grace of God-Defender of the Realm). The o ...

(PMN) – Tan Sri (2012) **

Commander of the

Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia The Most Esteemed Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia () is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country and awarded by the sovereign. The order was instituted on 15 April 1966 and gazetted on 30 June 1966 ...

(PSM) – Tan Sri (2011) ** MY Darjah Jasa Negara - Order of Meritorious Service - PJN

Commander of the

Order of Meritorious Service The Distinguished Order of Meritorious Service () is a Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting ...

(PJN) – Datuk (2008) ** Companion of the

(JMN) (2005) ** Kesatria Mangku Negara

Officer of the

(KMN) (2002) ** Pingat Perkhidmatan Setia - PPS

Recipient of the Loyal Service Medal (PPS) ** Pingat Perkhidmatan Am - PPA

Recipient of the General Service Medal (PPA) ** Recipient of the National Sovereignty Medal (PKN) (2014) ** MY Pingat Pertabalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong IX ribbon

MY Pingat Pertabalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong IX ribbon

Recipient of the 9th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal ** MY Pingat Pertabalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong X ribbon

Recipient of the 10th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal ** Pingat Pertabalan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj YDPA ke-11 Malaysia 1999

Pingat Pertabalan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj YDPA ke-11 Malaysia 1999

Recipient of the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal ** MY Pingat Pertabalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong XII ribbon

Recipient of the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal ** MY Pingat Pertabalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong XIII ribbon

Recipient of the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal ** MY Pingat Pertabalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong XIV ribbon

Recipient of the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal *

Malaysian Armed Forces The Malaysian Armed Forces (: MAF; ; Jawi alphabet, Jawi: ), are the armed forces of Malaysia, consists of three branches; the Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The number of MAF active personnel is 113,000 ...

: ** Courageous Commander of the Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PGAT) ** 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) * : ** MY-FED Darjah Mahkota Wilayah - Grand Knight - SUMW

MY-FED Darjah Mahkota Wilayah - Grand Knight - SUMW

Grand Knight of the

Order of the Territorial Crown Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * A socio-political or established or existing order, e.g. World order, Ancien Regime, Pax Britannica * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * H ...

(SUMW) – Datuk Seri Utama (2016) ** MY-FED Darjah Mahkota Wilayah - Knight Commander - PMW

Commander of the

(PMW) – Datuk (2009) * : ** Knight Grand Companion of the

Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah The Illustrious Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (Bahasa Melayu: ''Darjah Yang Mulia Setia di-Raja'') is an honorific order of the Sultanate of Kedah. History It was founded by Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah on 21 September 1973. Cl ...

(SSDK) – Dato' Seri (2012) ** Knight Commander of the

Order of Loyalty to Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah The Illustrious Order of Loyalty to Sultan 'Abdu'l Halim Mu'azzam Shah (Bahasa Melayu: ''Darjah Yang Mulia Sri Setia Sultan 'Abdu'l Halim Mu'azzam Shah'') is an honorific order of the Kedah Sultanate, Sultanate of Kedah. History It was founded ...

(DHMS) – Dato' Paduka (2011) ** Knight Commander of the

Order of the Crown of Kedah The Most Illustrious Order of the Crown of Kedah (Bahasa Melayu: ''Darjah Yang Maha Mulia Sri Mahkota Kedah'') is an honorific order of the Sultanate of Kedah History It was founded by Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah on 21 February 1964. Classes ...

(DGMK) – Dato' Wira (2008) ** Knight Companion of the

(DSDK) – Dato' (2004) ** Companion of the

(SDK) (2000) ** Member of the

(AMK) (1996) ** Sultan_Abdul_Halim_Golden_Jubilee_Medal

Recipient of Sultan Abdul Halim Golden Jubilee Medal (2008) * : ** MY-KEL Order of the Crown of Kelantan - Star of Muhammad

Knight Grand Commander of the

Order of the Crown of Kelantan Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * A socio-political or established or existing order, e.g. World order, Ancien Regime, Pax Britannica * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * H ...

(SPMK) – Dato' (2011) ** MY-KEL Order of the Noble Crown of Kelantan - SPKK

Knight Grand Commander of the

Order of the Noble Crown of Kelantan Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * A socio-political or established or existing order, e.g. World order, Ancien Regime, Pax Britannica * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * H ...

(SPKK) – Dato' (2007) ** My-KEL Gallant Order of the Crown of Kelantan - DPKK - PKK

Knight Commander of the

(DPKK) – Dato' (2004) ** My-KEL Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Kelantan

Member of the

Order of the Loyalty to the Crown of Kelantan Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * A socio-political or established or existing order, e.g. World order, Ancien Regime, Pax Britannica * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * H ...

(ASK) **

MY-KEL Sultan Ismail Petra Silver Jubilee Medal

Recipient of the Sultan Ismail Petra Silver Jubilee Medal (2004) * : ** MY-MAL Exalted Order of Malacca

Knight Commander of the Order of Malacca (DCSM) – Datuk Wira (2012) ** MY-MAL Exalted Order of Malacca

Companion Class I of the Order of Malacca (DMSM) – Datuk (2006) * : ** MY-NEG Order of Loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz - SSTM

Grand Knight of the Order of Loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz (SSTM) – Dato' Seri (2011) * : ** MY-PAH_Order_of_Sultan_Ahmad_Shah_of_Pahang_-_Grand_Knight_-_SSAP

Grand Knight of the

Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang The Most Illustrious Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang ( Malay: ''Darjah Kebesaran Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang Yang Amat Di Mulia'') is a knighthood order of the Sultanate of Pahang. History The order was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah on 24 O ...

(SSAP) – Dato' Sri (2010) ** MY-PAH Order of the Crown of Pahang - Grand Knight - SIMP

Grand Knight of the

Order of the Crown of Pahang The Esteemed Order of the Crown of Pahang ( Malay: '' Darjah Kebesaran Mahkota Pahang Yang Amat Mulia'') is a knighthood order of the Sultanate of Pahang. History The order was founded by Sultan Abu Bakar on 27 December 1968. It is awarded ...

(SIMP) – Dato' Indera (2008) * : ** MY-PEN Order of the Defender of State - Knight Commander - DPPN

Knight Commander of the

Order of the Defender of State The Order of the Defender of State () is the sole order of chivalry of the state of Penang which was constituted in 1967 by then Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dato' Seri Utama Raja Uda Raja Muhammad to recognize eminent contributions of individuals t ...

(DPPN) – Dato' Seri (2011) * : ** MY-PERA Order of Taming Sari - SPTS

Knight Grand Commander of the

Order of Taming Sari The Most Valliant Order of Taming Sari ( Malay: ''Darjah Kebesaran Taming Sari Negeri Perak Yang Amat Perkasa'') is knighthood order of the Sultanate of Perak. Background Founded by Sultan Idris Shah II in 1977. Timeline of ribbon Classes The ...

(SPTS) – Dato' Seri Panglima (2011) * : ** MY-PERL Order of the Crown of Perlis - Knight Grand Commander - SPMP

Knight Grand Commander of the

Order of the Crown of Perlis Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * A socio-political or established or existing order, e.g. World order, Ancien Regime, Pax Britannica * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * H ...

(SPMP) – Dato' Seri (2011) * : ** MY-SAB Order of Kinabalu - SPDK

Grand Commander of the

Order of Kinabalu The Illustrious Order of Kinabalu (Malay: ''Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Kinabalu'') is the only order conferred by the Governor of Sabah, Malaysia. Background The Illustrious Order of Kinabalu is established by virtue of Section 3(a) of State Honou ...

(SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima (2013) * : ** MY-SAR Order of the Star of Sarawak - 2 ribbon PNBS -JBS-PBS-ABS-BBS

Knight Commander of the

Order of the Star of Sarawak The Most Excellent Order of the Star of Sarawak ( Malay: ''Darjah Yang Amat Gemilang Bintang Sarawak'') was established by Charles Vyner Brooke, The Rajah of Sarawak, on 26 September 1928 as the highest order of chivalry within the Raj of Saraw ...

(PNBS) – Dato Sri (2015) * : ** MY-SEL Order of the Crown of Selangor - Knight Grand Commander - SPMS

Knight Grand Commander of the

Order of the Crown of Selangor The Most Illustrious Order of the Crown of Selangor (Bahasa Melayu: ''Darjah Kebesaran Mahkota Selangor Yang Amat Mulia'') is an order awarded by Sultan of Selangor as a reward for general services to the sultan and state of Selangor. It was foun ...

(SPMS) – Dato' Seri (2012) ** MY-SEL Silver Jubilee Medal 1985

Recipient of the Sultan Salahuddin Silver Jubilee Medal (1985) * : ** MY-TER Order of the Crown of Terengganu - SPMT - SMT - AMT

Knight Grand Commander of the

Order of the Crown of Terengganu The Most Distinguished Order of the Crown of Terengganu (Bahasa Melayu: ''Darjah Kebesaran Mahkota Terengganu Yang Amat Mulia'') is an honorific order of the Sultanate of Terengganu. History It was founded by Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin of Terengg ...

(SPMT) – Dato' (2012)

International honours

* : ** The Most Exalted

Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang The Most Exalted Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang (), also translated as The Most Exalted Order of Famous Valour, is an Order (decoration), order of Brunei. It was established on 1 August 1968 by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Current clas ...

(DPKT) (2012) * : ** Star of Yudha Dharma, 1st Class (2012) ** Bintang Kartika Eka Paksi Utama rib

Star of Kartika Eka Paksi, 1st Class (2012) * : ** Recipient of the

Nishan-e-Imtiaz The Nishan-e-Imtiaz (; ) is one of the state organized Civil decorations of Pakistan, civil decorations of Pakistan. It is awarded for achievements towards world recognition for Pakistan or outstanding service for the country. However, the awa ...

(NI) (2015) * : ** PHI_Legion_of_Honor_2003_Commander_BAR

Commander of the Philippine Legion of Honour (CLH) (2005) * : **

Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) The Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) () is a decoration awarded to members of the Singapore Armed Forces and allied military members for exceptionally distinguished service or merit in senior command or staff positions. The medal of the Da ...

(DUBC) (2014) * : ** Knight Grand Cross of the

Order of the Crown of Thailand The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (; ) is a Thai order, established in 1869 by King Rama V of The Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) for Thais, the royal family, governmental employees, and foreign dignitaries for their outstanding serv ...

(2014) * : ** Recipient of the Military Order 1st Class (2015)

References

External links

{{Authority control 1956 births Living people People from Kelantan Malaysian people of Malay descent Malaysian Muslims Malaysian military personnel Knights Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak Officers of the Order of the Defender of the Realm Companions of the Order of the Defender of the Realm Commanders of the Order of Meritorious Service Grand Commanders of the Order of Kinabalu Commanders of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia Commanders of the Order of the Defender of the Realm 21st-century Malaysian people Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Terengganu Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor