YANG AMAT MULIA PENGIRAN SANGGAMARA DIRAJA MEJAR JENERAL (B) PENGIRAN HAJI IBNU BASIT BIN PENGIRAN DATU PENGHULU PENGIRAN HAJI APONG

Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja Mej Jen (B) Pengiran Haji Ibnu Basit bin Pengiran Datu Penghulu Pengiran Haji Apong​ PSPNB., DSNB., DSLJ., PHBS., PBLI was the first local officer to be the Commanding Officer of the Boat Sections, AskarMelayuDiraja Brunei (AMDB) from 1965 to 1966.

During his service in the Boat Sections (AMDB), he undergo seamanship and navigation training in Marine School Labuan for 3 months.

Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as Commanding Officer of RiverineBoat, KDB MAHARAJALELA. When he was in Boat Sections AMDB, he was also attached to Marine Department to navigate to Limbang and Labuan. Not long after that, he was selected to undergo navigation exercise in Singapore for 2 weeks and bring back the newly acquired RiverineBoat home in mid 1966. Due to his excellent work performance, he was given the opportunity to attend Advance Course in Kota Kinabalu.

After his tour in Boat Sections, he was then posted back to Rifle Company, AMDB. During the coronation of KebawahDuli Yang MahaMuliaPaduka Seri Baginda Sultan HajiHassanalBolkiahMu’izzaddinWaddaulahSultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, He was appointed as Adjutant AMDB. In 1969, he was promoted to Major and given the responsibility to command Rifle-2 Company.

Looking back, Yang AmatMulia remembered an incident during one deployment to Kuching, transiting through Sarawak River where one of his ship crew fell overboard and rescued. He retired on 01 October 1996, he was then appointed as Deputy Minister of Defence. His advice to RBN personnel to continue serving with dedication and foster the spirit of progress in the tasks entrusted.​

YANG DIMULIAKAN PEHIN DATU JURAGAN LAILA DIRAJA KOL (B) DATO SERI PAHLAWAN HAJI KEFLI BIN ORANG KAYA LAILA SETIA HAJI RAZALI

Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Juragan Laila Diraja Kol (B) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Kefli Bin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Haji Razali was born on 06 October 1940. YDM Pehin started his career in Royal Brunei Navy, known as Boat Section on 1967, after he was transferred from Rifle Company AMDB. During that time, there are only 2 officers, himself as Second In Command (2IC) and Capt. Mc Ivay (Loan Service) as Officer In Command.

Earlier in his service, he attended Basic Navigation Course, where he joined one of the merchant vessels in South Hampton. YDM Pehin was the first local officer to attend Sea Training ‘Sub-Lieutenant Course’ in United Kingdom.

He also had the chance to board one of Royal Navy ship for long navigation training from Liverpool to Singapore transit through Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. He was also the first local officer to become the Hovercraft Pilot SRN5 and SRN6 upon completion of the hovercraft training in Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. YDM Pehin also had been assigned to several other ships and vessels such as KDB PAHLAWAN and RAJA ISTERI Class as the Executive Officer and later became Commanding Officer.

Whilst serving in the Royal Brunei Navy, one of the bitter memories and unforgettable, during YDM Pehin involved in towing behind one of the AML ships damaged after colliding with a fishing vessel in vicinity of UjongTanjongSapuh.

YDM Pehin was given the honor to command the RBN twice. The first one was on 22 April 1983 till 30 September 1986 and second time was from 25 June 1993 to 03 February 1995. YDM Pehin retired in the year 1995. He was blessed with 4 sons.

ALLAHYARHAM LIEUTENANT COLONEL HAJI MOHD NOEH BIN ABD HAMID​

Allahyarham Lieutenant Colonel HajiMohdNoeh Bin Abdhamid was the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy from 30 September 1986 to 30 December 1988. He was enlisted as a cadet officer in 19 January 1967. Upon completion his recruit training, he was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant on 13 October 1967, then later on became Platoon-1 Commander of the Delta Company AMDB. On 11 May 1970, he was posted to AngkatanLautPertama. And after completed several courses including navigation, he was appointed to become Commanding Officer of KDB NORAIN on 16 July 1963 which at that time he was a Lieutenant. In 1978 he commanded the Missile Gun Boat KDB SETERIA.

In August 1984 Allahyarham Lieutenant Colonel HajiMohdNoeh Bin AbdHamid was appointed as Assistant Aide De Camp for KDYMM Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Allahyarham had been given the responsibility to command and became the Commander of AngkatanLaut on 30 September 1986 till 30 December 1988.

He passed away on 8 August 1988 after he performed Hajj and have five children which two of them are working as officers in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

Handover of Command between Pehin Datu Juragan Laila Diraja Colonel (B)
Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Kefli with Late Lieutenant Colonel (B) Hj Mohd Noeh.

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​YANG MULIA LEFTENAN KOL (B) HAJI MOHAMMAD SHAHRI BIN HAJI MOHAMMAD ALI

Yang Mulia Leftenan Kolonel (B) Haji Mohd Shahri bin Haji Mohd Ali​ was the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy. After he completed his six months recruit training, he had chosen the Royal Brunei Navy as his first choice. When he first stepped into the navy, Lt Col HjMohdShahri was exposed to sea navigation training and goodwill visit to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah onboard KDB PAHLAWAN in the year 1969. Following after that in the same year, he attended Officer Cadet Course at Port Sea, Australia and Academic Course at Cerebus, Australia. Upon completion of the course he was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant and undergo Long Navigation training onboard Royal Navy ship.

He has a vision to see the advancement of the Royal Brunei Navy and able to compete with the regional navies in terms of professionalism. The advancement are; the expansion of the naval base and replacement of old ships, role improvement, developing a Navy Band and filling in all the positions in the Royal Brunei Navy and TEMD. He recommended and advised to all RBN personnel to act as one in any situation in the future.

“All navy personnel need to have a mature mentality and not to be present just to fulfill the vacancies offered. Let the Navy be the core job to reach for a pure intention and sincerity in performing duties and responsibilities. The responsibility of officers and head of departments is to take care the welfare of the subordinates and tackle their problems faced by them.”

​​ALLAHYARHAM LIEUTENANT COLONEL (R) ABDUL LATIF BIN AWANG DAMIT

Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Panglima Kol (B) Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil Bin Haji Ahmad became the RBN Commander from 05 February 1995 to 13 June 2002. TYT Pehin enlisted into AngkatanMelayuDiraja Brunei in 1972 when RBN was still called as AngkatanLautPertama AMDB (ALP AMDB) first established. It was his ambition to join the armed forces since he was young.

His first appointment was Executive Officer of KDB PAHLAWAN which had 30 crewmen. During that time, missile launch drill was organize by him, using SS11 and SS12 where Pelong Rock Island used as a target.

Looking back to the early 70’s, TYT Pehin always encountered illegal immigrants vessels especially from Vietnam in the water of Brunei Darussalam. This caused all ships in the Fleet at that time to be on guard and ready at all times to be dispatched. One of his patrols, the ship that he was onboard towed an illegal immigrants vessel for security purposes. Unfortunately, towing line had to be cut because of bad weather and sea state to prevent mishaps.

His advice to RBN officers is to be updated with the current affairs, especially in terms of information and technologies. Other than that, young officers and other ranks have to be nurtured with positive upbringing so that they can have a strong will to learn to become RBN personnel with great caliber

He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in 1985 after successfully attending training at the Britannia Royal Naval College. In 1987, he was promoted to Lieutenant. He was promoted to captain in 1990 and was appointed to Major in four years later. In 2004, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and he was promoted to Colonel in 2007 and Retired in February 2014

In 2008 , His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di- Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to appoint him as Commander of Royal Brunei Navy.

He early service with the Royal Brunei Navy , some appointments he included the Navigation Officer , Executive Officer KDB Pejuang , Commanding Officer KDB Seteria, Flotilla Navigation Officer and Commanding Officer Training School .

First Admiral Dato Seri PahlawanHaji Abdul Halim has attended several courses related to military overseas. Some of the courses include International Cadet Fund Accounting Services , Maritime Surveillance , International Long Navigation , Advance Military Command and Staff Course. Despite the challenging work commitments , he still managed to get two Masters , Master of Arts and Master of Science in Defence Studies, Strategic Studies .

First Admiral Dato Seri PahlawanHaji Abdul Halim was awarded the Honorable Order of the Crown of Brunei , Third Class ( SMB ) , General Service Medal ( GSM ) HM Silver Jubilee Medal , Silver Jubilee Medal of the armed forces and the Singapore Army prestigious award , Meritorious Service Medal ( Military) or Meritorious Service Medal ( Military).

He has also received medals and badges as foreign Meritorious Service Medal ( Military) ( Singapore – 2011), Honorary Command Flag Rank Badge ( Philippines – 2012 ) , Hilal -i – Imtiaz ( Military) ( pakistan – 2012) and Star Key Jalasena ( Indonesia , 2012) .

On May 25, 2011 , with the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di- Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam , he was promoted to Rear Admiral of the Royal Brunei Navy .

He bestowed degrees Warrior Mighty Brunei Highly First Class ( PSPNB ) with the title ‘ Dato Seri Pahlawan ‘ to First Admiral Dato Seri PahlawanHaji Abdul Halim on July 15, 2011 .

First Admiral Dato Seri PahlawanHaji Abdul Halim married to DatinUmiyatiBintiHaji Mohammad Noor and blessed with five children ( 1 girl and 4 boys ) . He was active in football and golf .

First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit was born on 23 September 1966. He joined the Royal Brunei Armed Forces in January 1984 and graduated as midshipman in 1985 from Britannia Royal Naval College in United Kingdom. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1986 and to Captain in 1990. He was promoted to Major in 1994 and to Lieutenant Colonel in 2002.  

In 2006 he was promoted to Colonel and five years later he was promoted to First Admiral.

During his service, he held numerous staff and command appointments such as Gunnery Officer, Navigation Officer and Executive Officer of Missile Gunboats and Coastal Patrol Crafts.  Ships commanded by him included KDB PERWIRA, KDB PEJUANG and KDB WASPADA.  He had the privilege to command Royal Brunei Navy Fleet twice from 09 March 2003 to 22 December 2005 and 29 June 2006 to 01 April 2007. The First Admiral has held various important staff appointments include SO3 Doctrine & Staff Duties in Directorate of Training, Head of Naval Project in Directorate of Operations in 2007, Head of Special Project in Deputy Minister of Defence Secretariat, Director of Force Capability Development and Director of Operations on 14th November 2007.  First Admiral Abdul Aziz was appointed as Joint Force Commander on 23 November 2009 and he was appointed as Commander of Royal Brunei Navy on 28 February 2014, a post which he held until 13 March 2015 and assuming his current appointment as Deputy Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces on 13 March 2015.

Throughout his career, he has undergone various courses locally and abroad such as International Sub Lieutenant, International Communication and Electronic Warfare, International Principal Warfare Officer Courses in United Kingdom.  He successfully completed Naval Junior Staff Course in Australia and attended Naval Staff Course in Naval War College USA in 1999 and further attended National Security Staff Course in Canada Forces College in 2006.  He also attended Executive Development Programme in University Brunei Darussalam in 2002 and Negotiation Programme in Said Business School, University of Oxford in 2007.  In 2013 he attended Senior Executives in National and International Security at Harvard Kennedy School.

First Admiral Abdul Aziz was awarded the Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Brunei (S.M.B. – 3rd Class) on 15 July 2006. On the 15 July 2011 His Majesty bestowed the Darjah Pahlawan Negara Brunei Yang Amat Perkasa (The Most Gallant Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei) First Class (PSPNB) with the title ‘Dato Seri Pahlawan’ to First Admiral Abdul Aziz.​

He is married to Datin Sakdiah binte Haji Mohd Noor and blessed with three boys. He loves golfing and reading.

FAdm Pg DSP Norazmi was promoted to Captain in November 2012 and appointed as Deputy Commander of Royal Brunei Navy in the same year, a post which he held until 06 March 2015 before taking the appointment as the Commander of Royal Brunei Navy on 13 March 2015.

By the consent of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Of Brunei Darussalam, he was promoted to First Admiral on the 29 May 2015. On the 15 August 2015, His Majesty bestowed the Darjah Pahlawan Negara Brunei Yang Amat Perkasa (The Most Gallant Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei) First Class (PSPNB) with the title ‘Dato Seri Pahlawan’ to First Admiral Pg Norazmi.

On 10 October 2017, FAdm Pg DSP Norazmi was conferred with Singapore’s prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) – or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) and presented by Defence Minister of the Republic of Singapore Ng Eng Hen.

A specialist in Above Water Warfare, his experience at sea includes a variety of command appointments such as Commanding Officer of Missile Gunboats and Executive Officer of Offshore Patrol Vessels. His staff experiences reflect a mix of both naval and operational levels in fields such as Military Assistant to Deputy Minister of Defence, Director of Defence Force Capability Development, he once became the Aide-De-Camp to His Majesty The Sultan And Yang Di-Pertuan Of Negara Brunei Darussalam in 2009 and after that he commanded the Royal Brunei Navy Fleet for 2 years.

FAdm Pg DSP Norazmi is a graduate of Malaysia Armed Forces Defense College with a Master of Social Science (Defence Studies), awarded at The National University of Malaysia in 2011. Throughout his career, he has undergone various courses locally and abroad such as International Sub Lieutenant, International Long Navigation, and International Principle Warfare Officer in United Kingdom. He successfully completed Royal New Zealand Air Force Junior Staff Course in 1996 and attended Naval Staff Course in Naval War College USA in 2003 and further attended the Senior Executives in National and International security at Harvard Kennedy School, in December 2014.

He is married to Pg Datin Noralam binti Pg Hj Kahar and blessed with four sons and two daughters. He loves playing golf, mountain biking and jogging.

Throughout his early service, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Othman had the opportunity to attend various courses abroad namely Royal Australian Navy Training Detachment on board HMS IPSWICH (1990), Midshipman Sea Training Deployment with Republic Singapore Navy (1990), International Sub-Lieutenant Course in United Kingdom (1991), Ship Diver Course in Malaysia (1994), International Principle Warfare Officer course in United Kingdom (2000), Staff Course in Pakistan and several courses attended notably Executive Development Programme (EDP) in Public Policy and Management Course in National University Singapore (2009) and attended the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College Course 34/2014 with Masters of Social Science in Malaysia.

First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Othman held various command appointments from Commanding Officer of Coastal Patrol Craft (CPC) namely KDB PEMBURU, KDB PENYERANG and KDB PERWIRA, also commanding one of the Missile Gun Boat (MGB) KDB SETERIA. Other appointments held include Diving Officer. He assumed as RBN Fleet Commander (2011)

His staff officer appointments were Military Assistant to Commander Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) (2007 to 2009), Base Commander (2010), Defence Adviser of Brunei Darussalam to Malaysia (2012 to 2013) and Head of Capability Development Cell (2015).

First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Othman was the Co-Chairman (Brunei Darussalam) of ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group (EWG) on Maritime Security together with New Zealand (2015-2017) During his chairmanship RBN had the honour to host the Field Training Exercise on Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism in 2016.

On 06 March 2015, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Othman was appointed as The Deputy Commander of RBN before taking his current appointment as the Commander of RBN in 19 April 2019.

First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Othman was awarded with Darjah Setia Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bahagia, Darjah Keempat (2008) and Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Mulia, Darjah Ketiga (2015). On 15 July 2019, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Of Brunei Darussalam bestowed the Darjah Pahlawan Negara Brunei Yang Amat Perkasa (The Most Gallant Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei) First Class (PSPNB) which carries the title ‘Dato Seri Pahlawan’ to First Admiral Hj Othman.

First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Othman is married to Datin Nazatulshima binti Haji C.A. Mohamed and blessed with 03 sons and a daughter. He is into swimming, jogging and enjoys reading.

Throughout his early service, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Spry attended various courses abroad namely International Sub-Lieutenant Course, UK (1992), International Communication Officers’ Course, UK (1998), International Principal Warfare Officer Course, UK (2001), Overseas Joint Warfare Course in Australia (2003), Command and Staff Course in New Zealand (2005), Executive Development Programme (EDP), International Maritime Organisation Course in Oil Spill Response (2006), International Intelligence Fellows Program in United States (2010) and the National Security and War Course (NSWC) at National Defence University (NDU) Pakistan (2016).

First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Spry has held various command appointments from Commanding Officer of Coastal Patrol Crafts (CPC) namely KDB PEMBURU and KDB PERWIRA, also commanding the Missile Gun Boats (MGB) KDB SETERIA and KDB WASPADA and assumed as Squadron Commander (2003) and RBN Fleet Commander (2016). Notably, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Spry also contributed to regional peace during his tenure as Head of Brunei International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao, Philippines in 2012.

He also held various Staff appointment such Commanding Officer of Naval Training in 2008 and he was seconded to National Security Committee secretariat and National Maritime Coordination Centre in 2014 at Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).  In June 2018, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Spry was appointed as the Chief of Staff of Royal Brunei Armed Forces (2018 – 2020) before assuming his current appointment as the Commander of Royal Brunei Navy on 31 December 2020.

First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Spry was awarded with The Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Brunei, Darjah Ketiga, (S.M.B), The Most Blessed Order of Setia Negara Brunei, Darjah Keempat, (P.S.B), and The Most Meritorious Service Medal (P.J.K).

On the 75th Birthday celebration of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al_Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on 15 July 2021, he was conferred The Most Gallant Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei, First Class (P.S.P.N.B) which carries the title Dato Seri Pahlawan.

First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Spry was born on 25 March 1970 and married to Haslinda binti Haji Hamid and blessed with three sons and two daughters. He also likes hiking, reading and social golfer during his spare time.