Abdul Jalil Ahmad

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Ahmad is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Abdul Jalil. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Penglima Colonel (Retired) Dato Paduka
Abdul Jalil Ahmad
DPMB SNB PJK
عبدالجليل احمد
Second lieutenant Abdul Jalil in 1973
6th Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy
In office
5 February 1995 – 13 June 2002
MonarchHassanal Bolkiah
Preceded byKefli Razali
Succeeded byJoharie Matussin
Diplomatic positions
Ambassador of Brunei to Germany
In office
26 February 2013 – 2015
Preceded byYusof Abu Bakar
Succeeded byRakiah Abdul Lamit
High Commissioner of Brunei to Pakistan
In office
2006–2008
Personal details
BornKampong Ayer, Brunei
Education
Profession
Military service
Allegiance Brunei
Branch/service Royal Brunei Navy
Years of service1973–2002
Rank Colonel
UnitHMS Intrepid (L11)
KDB Pahlawan

Abdul Jalil bin Haji Ahmad is a Bruneian aristocrat, diplomat and retired naval officer who served as the sixth Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) from 1995 to 2002. In addition, he later became the ambassador and high commissioner to several other countries.

Early life and education

His early years were spent in Kampong Ayer, where he remained until he enlisted at the recruiting office of Bolkiah Camp of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR) in 1972.[1] On 21 February 1972, when RBN was still known as 1st Boat Company RBMR (ALP AMDB), Abdul Jalil enlisted in the RBMR. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant on 13 December 1973. Both the Royal College of Defence Studies and the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth trained him to become an executive officer.[2] He spent three months in the Mediterranean Sea serving on board the British warship HMS Intrepid (L11). In addition to making visits to cities like Gibraltar, Malta, Famagusta, Istanbul, Athens, and Naples.[1]

Military career

Upon completing his training, Abdul Jalil was assigned to the 30-person crew KDB Pahlawan as a gunnery and navigation officer.[1] He organised a missile launch exercise utilising SS.11 and SS.12 at the time, using Pelong Rocks as the target.[2] He took on his first command as KDB Masna's commander in 1975, a position he maintained for 23 years. After his time on KDB Masna, Abdul Jalil was given honorary command of KDB Seteria.[1]

In Brunei's waters in the early 1970s, He came across illegal immigrant ships, particularly from Vietnam. As a result, all ships in the fleet at the time were always on guard duty. During one of his patrols, the ship he was aboard dragged a boat carrying illegal immigrants for security reasons. Unfortunately, the towing line had to be broken in order to prevent accidents due to the poor weather and sea situation.[2]

The RBN Commander was Abdul Jalil from 5 February 1995 until 13 June 2002.[2] Under his administration, he witnessed a great deal of progress, particularly in the areas of administration and maritime mobility.[3]

Diplomatic career

Pehin Abdul Jalil completed his term as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan's High Commissioner for Brunei.[4] On 26 February 2013, the Sultan of Brunei presented him with a letter of credence confirming his appointment as Brunei's ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany.[5] On 24 August 2013, he was among the Bruneian representatives to at the launching ceremony of KDB Daruttaqwa (09),[6] and also the ship's acceptance ceremony on 12 May 2014.[7]

Books

  • Kolonel (B) Abdul Jalil Hj Ahmad, Pehin Datu Panglima (2008). Memoir Wira Samudera di Muara (in Malay). ISBN 9799991792322.

Personal life

Abdul Jalil has a daughter named Norlila, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS).[8][9] Furthermore, Haji Edy Jofren, his son, is a commander in the RBN.[10]

Honours

Main article: Orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei
Pehin Abdul Jalil receiving his letters of credence from Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in 2005

Abdul Jalil holds the Manteri title of Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Penglima in 2003.[1] Additionally, he has earned the following honours:[11][2][12]

National

  • Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB) – Dato Paduka; Third Class (SMB)[13]
  • Order of Setia Negara Brunei Third Class (SNB)
  • Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
  • Proclamation of Independence Medal (10 March 1997)
  • General Service Medal (Armed Forces)
  • Long Service Medal and Good Conduct (PKLPB)
  • Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal (31 May 1986)
  • Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
  • Sultan of Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal (5 October 2017)
  • National Day Silver Jubilee Medal (23 February 2009)

Foreign

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Pehin Datu Penglima Kolonel (B) Abdul Jalil Hj Ahmad (2008). Memoir Wira Samudera di Muara. ISBN 9799991792322.
  2. ^ a b c d e "6th Commander". Royal Brunei Navy. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  3. ^ Nooratini Haji Abas. "Kebawah DYMM amat prihatin kepada pesara tentera". www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Announcements - All Items". www.mfa.gov.bn. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Call By New Brunei Envoy To Germany To DMOD". www.mindef.gov.bn. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Prince at launching of RBN's new ship". www.sultanate.com. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  7. ^ Prashanth Parameswaran (12 April 2019). "What's in the Brunei Navy Vessel's New China Voyage?". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  8. ^ "WAW! Brunei Darussalam 2016". www.bn.emb-japan.go.jp. 16 December 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Setiausaha Tetap". www.japem.gov.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  10. ^ "ROYAL BRUNEI ARMED FORCES PARTICIPATED IN THE 17TH ASEAN DEFENCE MINISTERS' MEETING PLUS EXPERTS' WORKING GROUP ON MARITIME SECURITY". www.mindef.gov.bn. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  11. ^ "SENARAI NAMA-NAMA GELARAN DAN ORANG-ORANG YANG DIKURNIAI GELARAN" (PDF). www.adat-istiadat.gov.bn (in Malay). p. 11. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Images - 3.jpg". www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  13. ^ The Army Quarterly and Defence Journal. West of England Press. 1997. p. 212. ISBN 978-0-85052-467-3.
  14. ^ "Brunei navy commander gets 3'pore award". The Straits Times. 11 December 1996. p. 34. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Ambassador of Brunei to Germany
26 February 2013 – 2015 		Succeeded by
Military offices
Preceded by 6th Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy
5 February 1995 – 13 June 2002 		Succeeded by