Zulkifeli Mohd Zin

1. Overview

Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin (born 14 June 1956) is a retired Malaysian General who served as the 18th Chief of Defence Forces of Malaysia. Following his distinguished military career, he transitioned to public service, becoming the inaugural Director General of the National Security Council. His appointment marked a significant shift, as he was the first individual with a military background to lead the council, a role previously held exclusively by senior civil servants.

2. Early Life and Education

Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin's early life and extensive educational background laid the foundation for his prominent military and public service career.

2.1. Early Life and Civilian Education

Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin was born on 14 June 1956, in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, Malaysia. For his secondary education, he attended Sultan Ismail College (SIC) in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. This institution is noted as one of the oldest and most renowned educational establishments in the state.

2.2. Military Education and Training

His military education commenced in 1974 when he completed his cadet training at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England. This foundational training prepared him for his initial commission into the Malaysian Armed Forces. Furthering his academic qualifications, he obtained a Master of Science degree in Defense from the National Defense University (specifically, the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, as per Malay sources). Zulkifeli is also a graduate of the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College (MTAT) and the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College (MPAT). Both of these colleges have since been integrated and consolidated under the umbrella of the National Defense Studies Centre (Puspahanas), reflecting an evolution in Malaysia's military higher education framework.

3. Military Career (1974-2016)

Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin's military career spanned over four decades, during which he rose through the ranks, holding a variety of command and staff positions within the Malaysian Armed Forces.

3.1. Early Appointments

Upon the completion of his cadet training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1974, Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 9 August 1974. His first assignment was as a platoon commander within the 2nd Royal Malay Regiment. In addition to his field command roles, he held several crucial staff positions early in his career within the Army Headquarters and various training institutes. These included serving as a Staff Officer at the Army Headquarters and working as a Trick Trainer at the Army Training Centre located in Johor Bahru. From 1999 to 2000, he took on the responsibility of the Infantry Director at the Army Headquarters, overseeing critical aspects of infantry operations and development.

3.2. Key Command and Staff Roles

As he progressed through the ranks, Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin assumed increasingly significant leadership and staff roles. During his tenure as a colonel, he served as the Commandant of the Army Combat Training Centre (PULADA), a vital institution for the training and development of army personnel. He also held the position of Resource Colonel at the Army Headquarters.

In 2002, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general, following which he held the office of Assistant Commander of the Reserve Services Division, specifically dealing with the Wataniah (Territorial Army). Demonstrating his command capabilities, he led the 8th Infantry Brigade (8 Bgd) in Kelantan from 2003 to 2004. He was subsequently promoted to major general and entrusted by the military high command to serve internationally as the commander of the International Monitoring Team Mission - Mindanao. His leadership in this mission spanned from 9 October 2004 to 31 August 2005. Following his international deployment, he served as the Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3 Div) from 17 October 2005 to 31 January 2007. He then commanded the Army Field Headquarters from 2 January 2007 to 1 June 2008, overseeing crucial field operations.

Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin as a Brigadier General.

3.3. Leadership as Chief of Army

Recognized for his dedicated leadership and extensive experience, Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin was appointed as the Deputy Army Commander on 2 June 2008. He served in this capacity until 20 May 2010, when he was promoted to the highest position within the Malaysian Army, becoming the Chief of Army (Panglima Tentera Darat - PTD^Malay). In this role, he was responsible for the overall command, administration, and strategic direction of the Malaysian Army.

3.4. Appointment as Chief of Defence Forces and Retirement

On 15 June 2011, reflecting the high confidence placed in his leadership abilities, Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin was appointed as the 18th Chief of Defence Forces (Panglima Angkatan Tentera - PAT^Malay). As the Chief of Defence Forces, he was the professional head of the Malaysian Armed Forces, responsible for overseeing all three branches: the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He held this prestigious position, leading the nation's military, until his retirement from active service on 16 December 2016.

Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin meeting with a US Army General during his tenure as Chief of Defence Forces.

Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin during the Royal Standard Parade in 2013, as the Chief of Defence Forces.

During his time as Chief of Defence Forces, Zulkifeli engaged in various international diplomatic and military exchanges. These engagements underscored Malaysia's defense cooperation and enhanced its standing in regional and global security. For instance, he participated in meetings and events with foreign military leaders and ambassadors, as part of his role in overseeing the nation's armed forces.

Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin alongside U.S. Ambassador Paul W. Jones and Rear Admiral Craig Faller on the USS John C. Stennis during an official visit.

4. Post-Military Career

Following his retirement from active military service, Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin continued to serve his country in a significant public capacity.

4.1. Director General of National Security Council

On 15 August 2016, even before his formal military retirement, Zulkifeli bin Mohd. Zin was appointed as the first Director General of the National Security Council (NSC; Majlis Keselamatan Negara - MKN^Malay). This appointment was particularly notable as he was the first individual with a military background to be designated to this seat. Previously, the head of the NSC held the title of 'Secretary General' and the position was exclusively reserved for senior civil servants within the Malaysian Government. His appointment underscored a strategic shift towards integrating experienced military leadership within national security policy-making. He served in this pivotal role until 1 September 2018, when he was succeeded by Engku Hamzah Tuan Mat.

Malaysia
- Officer of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (KMN) (2002)
- Companion of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (JMN) (2005)
- Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN) - Datuk (2008)
- Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) - Tan Sri (2011)
- Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (PMN) - Tan Sri (2012)
- Federal Territory (Malaysia)
  - Commander of the Order of the Territorial Crown (PMW) - Datuk (2009)
  - Grand Knight of the Order of the Territorial Crown (SUMW) - Datuk Seri Utama (2016)
  - Kedah
    - Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (SDK) (2000)
    - Knight Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (DSDK) - Dato' (2004)
    - Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Kedah (DGMK) - Dato' Wira (2008)
    - Knight Commander of the Order of Loyalty to Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (DHMS) - Dato' Paduka (2011)
    - Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (SSDK) - Dato' Seri (2012)
    - Kelantan
      - Knight Commander of the Order of the Noble Crown of Kelantan (DPKK) - Dato' (2004)
      - Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Kelantan (SPMK) - Dato' (2011)
      - Malacca
        Companion Class I of the Order of Malacca (DMSM) - Datuk (2006)
        Knight Commander of the Order of Malacca (DCSM) - Datuk Wira (2012)
        Negeri Sembilan
        Grand Knight of the Order of Loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz (SSTM) - Dato' Seri (2011)
        Pahang
        Grand Knight of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (SIMP) - Dato' Indera (2008)
        Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) - Dato' Sri (2010)
        Penang
        Knight Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (DPPN) - Dato' Seri (2011)
        Perak
        Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Taming Sari (SPTS) - Dato' Seri Panglima (2011)
        Perlis
        Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Perlis (SPMP) - Dato' Seri (2011)
        Sabah
        Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) - Datuk Seri Panglima (2013)
        Sarawak
        Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS) - Dato Sri (2015)
        Selangor
        Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (SPMS) - Dato' Seri (2012)
        Terengganu
        Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Terengganu (SPMT) - Dato' (2012)

6.2. International Honours

Philippines
- Commander of the Philippine Legion of Honour (CLH) (2005) - awarded for his service during the International Monitoring Team Mission - Mindanao.
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  Brunei
  - The Most Exalted Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang (DPKT) (2012)
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    Indonesia
    - Star of Yudha Dharma, 1st Class (2012)
    - Star of Kartika Eka Paksi, 1st Class (2012)
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      Singapore
      - Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) (DUBC) (2014)
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        Thailand
        Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand (2014)