Kuantan: Chief of Defence Force (CDF) General Tan Sri Affendi Buang, who is about to retire after more than 43 years with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), will hand over the reins of command to Chief of Army General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman on Wednesday.

Affendi when informing about the matter said, he is confident that his successor, has a unique and distinctive ability, to continue the continuity of the legacy and wishes that have been built over the years.

He said, with the regional and global security landscape becoming increasingly complex and dynamic today, it demands MAF to be led by a modern generation leader who is more energetic, productive and competitive.

“Honestly, I accept this retirement with an open heart, in addition to being happy to be able to continue the legacy of previous leadership, in addition to being able to provide a suitable foundation for my future successor.

“Therefore, it is my hope that the entire leadership line and all layers of MAF people from the three services, including the Ministry of Defence, will be able to continue the same support and encouragement to the new CDF,” he said.

He said this while speaking at the 21st Armed Forces Commander Appreciation Parade Ceremony, at the Air Base here, today, which was also attended by his wife, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Malaysian Armed Forces Family Welfare Board (Bakat) Tengku Puteri Seri Teja Puan Sri Tengku Muhaini Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Also present were Mohammad, Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob and Air Force Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan.

Affendi, who is also a native of Kuching, Sarawak, was appointed as the 21st CDF on 2 January 2020, after taking over from General Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin and will take a leave in conjunction with his retirement before finishing his service in February 2024.

Meanwhile, Affendi also hopes that MAF people apply commendable qualities and ensure that integrity and self-discipline are well maintained, for the good name and image of the team so that it is always at its peak.

He also reminded., MAF needs to always plan, monitor and evaluate long-term strategies with great care, to avoid being trapped into the Lompong Force Syndrome.

The former Air Force Chief also touched upon the welfare of MAF personnel after entering the realm of retirement, and called for them to be aware of this matter and make appropriate preparations from now on.

In his speech, he also expressed his appreciation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah as the Supreme Commander of ATM, the government as well as MAF personnel for the commitment given.

Earlier, the ceremony, which was carried out in full military tradition, involved 63 officers and 723 members with a parade of 15 flags, in addition to involving 31 assets of various categories such as fighter and transport aircraft and helicopters from the Malaysian Army, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and the Army. Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

At the special appreciation ceremony, there was also a presentation of the i38 Memoir Book to Affendi by the President of the i38 Club Lieutenant General (R) Datuk Subari Tomo, before the traditional event of ‘delivering’ using MiG-29 Fulcrum aircraft and a ‘parade of respect’ was held as a mark of respect for him and wife.

Affendi first entered the RMAF service in 1980, after graduating from the Royal Military College, Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur before being commissioned as a RMAF Junior Lieutenant and awarded a flight wing in 1982.

His career as a Fighter Pilot started with MB339A, A4-PTM Skyhawk and MiG-29 aircraft, until he managed to gain more than 2,000 hours of flight experience.

During his operational period as a fighter pilot, Affendi was actively involved in various air operations within Malaysia, including fighting against communist terrorists, patrolling the national maritime zone and airspace as well as being the founder of the RMAF MiG-29 tactical aerobatic team known as ‘Smokey’ Bandits’.