Abdul Razak Abdul Kadir Explained

Honorific Prefix:His Excellency Brigadier General (Retired) Dato Seri Pahlawan
Abdul Razak Abdul Kadir
Honorific Suffix:PSPNB PSB PJK
Office:Ambassador of Brunei to Indonesia
Term Start:17 February 2024
Predecessor:Yussof Abdul Rahman
Office1:5th Deputy Minister of Defence
Monarch1:Hassanal Bolkiah
Minister1:Hassanal Bolkiah
Termstart1:7 June 2022
Termend1:27 February 2023
Predecessor1:Office reconvened
Successor1:Office abolished
Office2:12th Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Forces
Term Start2:1 March 2022
Term End2:10 June 2022
Deputy2:Azman Bangkol
Predecessor2:Haszaimi Bol Hassan
Successor2:Saifulrizal Abdul Latif
Birth Date:21 March 1972
Birth Place:Brunei
Serviceyears:1989–2022
Rank: Brigadier General
Unit:International Monitoring Team

Abdul Razak bin Haji Abdul Kadir (born 21 March 1972) is the current Ambassador of Brunei to Indonesia since 2024.[1] He was formerly the Deputy Minister of Defence and the 12th Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF) in 2022.[2] Additionally, he was among the contingent attached to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao.[3]

Early life and education

Abdul Razak was born on 21 March 1972. He started his career on 21 September 1989, when he joined the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and was designated as an Officer cadet in 1994. In 1994 and 1995, he participated in Officer Cadet Training at the Royal Military College in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Shortly after, he was appointed a Second lieutenant. He graduated with a master's degree from the University of Balochistan in Pakistan in 2010 after completing his command and staff course at the Command and Staff College Quetta. He attended the Philippine National Defence College and received a master's degree in national security administration in September 2016.[4]

Military career

During Abdul Razak's time in the RBAF, he held a variety of positions, including those of platoon commander, armoured reconnaissance troop leader, adjutant, squadron second-in-command, company commander, armoured reconnaissance squadron commander, battalion second-in-command, and staff officer grade one at the Ministry of Defence.

As part of his internationally tour of duty, Major Abdul Razak was among Brunei's IMT contingent Batch 2 in 2005–2006 to observe the progress of the negotiations for peace between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. On 13 October 2008, the Brunei contingent commander, along with four other former leaders and thirty-six members of the team, including him, received plaques and certificates of appreciation from the Philippine government for their assistance in keeping an eye on the peace process in Mindanao.

He received a promotion to lieutenant colonel in 2012, and from 2013 to 2016 he served as Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's aide-de-camp. On 1 January 2018, he assumed leadership of the Directorship at the Defence Minister's Office and Directorate of Strategic Planning. Later that year on 13 July, he was elevated to the rank of colonel. On 24 July 2020, Abdul Razak was promoted to brigadier general with the approval of the Sultan of Brunei. On 28 August 2020, he assumed command as Joint Force Commander of the RBAF.[5] On 1 March 2022, he was then named Commander of the RBLF, therefore replacing Haszaimi Bol Hassan and becoming the 12th commander of the branch.[6] [7]

Political career

Dato Razak was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Defense on 7 June 2022. On 5 July of that same year, Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong met with him, and was congratulated by Ambassador Yu on his new position. She would then go on to praise the successes of the two countries' relations.[8] On 3 February 2023, State Defense Minister Toshiro Ino met with him, and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges.[9] His time as deputy minister was short lived as his appointment was terminated alongside his position being abolished by the command of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on 27 February 2023.[10]

Diplomatic career

As the new Brunei ambassador to Indonesia, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah presented the credentials to Dato Razak at the Istana Nurul Iman on 17 February 2024.[11] On 8 August, he along with 9 other ambassadors presented the credentials to President Joko Widodo in a ceremony at the Istana Merdeka, Jakarta.[12] During an interview, he expressed his commitment to continue to improve diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Brunei which includes defence, people-to-people exchanges, trade, and labour.[13]

Personal life

Abdul Razak has a son and two daughters from his marriage to Datin Hajah Maimunah binti Haji Bakar. He likes to travel and play golf.

Honours

The PJG was given to Dato Razak in appreciation of his unwavering dedication and exceptional efforts to boost the defense relations and professional cooperation between the RBLF and the Singapore Army.[14] Abdul Razak also given the following honours;

See also: Orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei.

National

Foreign

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-02-18 . His Majesty presents letters of credence – Borneo Bulettin . 2024-04-02 . en-US.
  2. Web site: 2022-08-15 . U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander focuses on cooperative partnership during Brunei visit – The Bruneian . 2023-02-25 . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2008-10-13 . RP awards plaques, certificates to 41 Brunei peace monitors . 2024-08-09 . GMA News Online . en.
  4. Web site: 2014-04-03 . Joint Force Commander . https://mindef12.rssing.com/chan-74038471/article253.html . 2014-04-03 . 2023-02-25 . www.mindef.gov.bn.
  5. Web site: Bandial . Rasidah Hj Abu Bakar, Ain . 2022-06-07 . HM: New cabinet must carry out duties with 'full loyalty and responsibility' . 2023-02-25 . The Scoop . en-GB.
  6. News: 2022-03-03 . Call to uphold loyalty and discipline » Borneo Bulletin Online . en-US . Call to uphold loyalty and discipline . 2023-02-25.
  7. Web site: Berita Terkini – Majlis Serah Terima Tugas bagi Pemerintah... . 2023-02-25 . www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn.
  8. Web site: Ambassador Yu Hong Meets with Brunei's Newly Appointed Deputy Minister of Defence . 2023-02-25 . www.fmprc.gov.cn.
  9. Web site: Bilateral Meeting between Japan’s State Minister of Defense and Brunei Darussalam’s Deputy Minister of Defence . 2023-02-25 . Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan . en.
  10. Web site: 2023-02-27 . Deputy minister of defence appointment terminated, post abolished » Borneo Bulletin Online . 2023-02-27 . Deputy minister of defence appointment terminated, post abolished . en-US.
  11. Web site: 2024-02-17 . HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN AND YANG DI-PERTUAN OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM PRESENTS LETTERS OF CREDENCE TO NEWLY APPOINTED ENVOYS . 2024-04-02 . www.mfa.gov.bn.
  12. Web site: 2024-08-08 . Presiden Terima Surat Kepercayaan 10 Dubes Negara Sahabat. 2024-08-09. setkab.go.id.
  13. Web site: 2024-08-08 . Komitmen Sejumlah Dubes Negara Sahabat Tingkatkan Hubungan Bilateral dengan Indonesia. 2024-08-09. setneg.go.id.
  14. Web site: Brunei Deputy Minister of Defence Makes Introductory Visit to Singapore and Receives Prestigious Military Award . 2023-02-25 . www.mindef.gov.sg . en.