CHIEF OF STAFF
Commander Sonny Iskandar bin Rasani, RBN, assumed the appointment as the Chief of Staff of the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) on January 2025. He was commissioned into the Royal Brunei Navy as an Executive Branch Officer in 2002, following recruit training at the Institut Latihan ABDB and initial officer training at HMNZS TAMAKI, Auckland, New Zealand.
Throughout his career, Commander Sonny Iskandar has also commanded two DARUSSALAM-CLASS patrol vessels, Commanding Officer of KDB DARUSSALAM and KDB DARULEHSAN, demonstrating his experience, proficiency in naval operations and leadership at sea.
Commander Sonny Iskandar has completed various specialized courses, enhancing his expertise in naval warfare and maritime operations. These include the Diving and Mine Hunting Officer’s Course in Singapore, the Intermediate Navigation Course in Australia, and the Long Navigation and Principal Warfare Officers Course in the United Kingdom.
In addition to operational roles, Commander Sonny Iskandar has held significant staff appointments, such as Military Assistant to the Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of Staff at RBN Headquarters. He also served as Brunei Darussalam’s inaugural Defence Advisor to Australia, where he contributed to strengthening bilateral defence relations.
Commander Sonny Iskandar is a graduate of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Command and Staff College, earning a Master’s degree in International Security Studies and receiving the Commandant’s Award for his performance. In 2023, he attended the National Resilience College in Putrajaya, Malaysia where he was awarded the designation of “Fellow” by the Malaysian National Defence University following his tenure at the College.
Commander Sonny is a native of Kampong Lamunin, Tutong, Brunei Darussalam. He is happily married to Puan Siti Maszuraimah binti Haji Mahmud, and they have three children—a son and two daughters.
