RIMBA, Saturday, 16 March 2019 – The Defence Academy Royal Brunei Armed Forces (DA RBAF) held a farewell dinner for the former Commandant, Colonel Saiful-Akhmar bin Haji Mohd Shariff at the I-Lotus Restaurant, Kampung Rimba in appreciation for his contribution and leadership throughout his service at the DA RBAF.
Present at the event were the Commandant of the DA RBAF, Colonel Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, senior officers, officers, warrant officers, military and civilian personnel as well as former members of the academy who have worked and served with Colonel Saiful-Akhmar in the past.
The event commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Corporal Sahrul Al Hasri bin Hamzah from the RBAF Religious Department (JAMA’AT). A representative from the DA RBAF, Warrant Officer 1 Rosleen bin Haji Tujoh, the Academy Sergeant Major (ASM) of the DA RBAF, also delivered a farewell speech for the retiring commandant in which he highlighted the inspirational leadership of Colonel Saiful-Akhmar which has made an impact on the members of DA RBAF as well as those who have studied in the academy. He also praised the ability of Colonel Saiful-Akhmar in making wise and well-calculated decisions in an effort to achieve the academy’s vision and mission breaking through the various challenges faced by the academy and its members every day. He also thanked the former Commandant for all the lessons shared and his compassion in making sure that all the officers and staff of the DA RBAF are well taken care of and able to work in a harmonious environment.
The event continued with the presentation of gifts to the celebrated former Commandant which includes books, a reading lamp and a teapot set. The former Commandant then delivered a farewell speech in which he highlighted about how being a Commandant of the DA RBAF has helped him achieved career and personal development and he described it as the best time of his career. He also took the opportunity to thank all the DA members for recognising him as a leader and hopes DA RBAF keeps making history and becomes a strategic asset to RBAF in producing the next generation leaders.
To bless the event, a Do’a Penutup was recited by Staff Sergeant (U) Muhammad Shahrin bin Haji Sarpudin from JAMA’AT. Before leaving the main dining hall, the former Commandant joined the guests for a group photograph session.
The Handover Ceremony for the current Commandant of the DA RBAF has taken place last year on 12 December 2018 at the DA RBAF Auditorium, Kampung Tanah Jambu. Colonel Saiful-Akhmar had officially taken over as the Commandant of the DA RBAF on 21 September 2015 where he was previously posted at the Command and Staff College DA RBAF as the Senior Directing Staff.
