Shanonnizam Sulaiman

On 12 July 1996, Shanonnizam enlisted in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). After completing his officer cadet training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom in April 1998, he started his career as an Infantry Platoon Commander in 'A' Company, 3rd Battalion Royal Brunei Land Force. He has served in a number of staff and command positions during the course of his military career, including as a signal officer training in 2000 in Warminster in the United Kingdom, a regimental signal officer for the Second Battalion RBLF and as SO3 Communication at the RBLF Headquarters. In 2003, he led the "B" Company of First Battalion RBLF, and later served as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's aide-de-camp. He held the positions of SO2 C41 at the Directorate of Force Capability Development and SO2 Communication at the Directorate of Operations.[1]

After a brief service as SO2 Intelligence at the RBLF Headquarters, he completed his leadership and Staff Course at the Australian Defence College in 2009 and assumed leadership of the Officer Cadet School RBAF. Then, from January 2015 to June 2017, he oversaw the Third Battalion RBLF while holding the positions of SO1 Communications Information Systems at Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ), SO1 Land Capability Development at the Directorate of Force Capability Development, and SO1 Land Capability Development.[1]

The Sultan of Brunei's introduction of the RBAF's 50th Anniversary Book added even more significance to the 52nd Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Anniversary Celebration in 2013. The goal of the book, according to Lt. Col. Shanonnizam, Head of Secretariat Publication, is to provide the RBAF with historical data since their founding so that future generations would be able to understand the RBAF's past.[2] Co-chairs from Vietnam and China emphasized the success of the first multilateral exercise during the third ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group (EWG) meeting on HADR in 2014 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Lt Col Mohd Shanonnizam Sulaiman, the leader of the delegation and head of the ADMM-Plus HADR and MM Exercise, represented Brunei at the EWG meeting.[3]

After serving for three years as the defence adviser to the United Kingdom and the non-resident defense attache to France and Germany,[4] he was appointed chief of staff of the RBLF on 30 July 2020. After enrolling at the Malaysia Armed Forces Defence College in January 2021, he returned to the chief of staff position on 31 January 2022, having earned a master's degree in defense studies.[1]

Following an inaugural ceremony held at Lumut Camp on 13 June later that year, a military exercise involving the RBLF and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) officially got underway. In its second iteration, the Exercise Pahlawan Warrior aims to improve partner land force capacity and capabilities, resolve internal security issues, and boost interoperability operations while reiterating shared security commitments to the Indo-Pacific region. The RBLF's chief of staff, Shanonnizam emphasized the value of the alliance between the RBLF and USARPAC for the area.[5]

On 27 June 2022, he took over as the first field commander of the RBLF,[1] and on 9 June 2023, he was named commander of the RBLF, succeeding Brig. Gen. Saifulrizal.[6] A day before with the consent of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. The insignia was handed during a ceremony at the Officers' Mess at Bolkiah Garrison by Major General Haszaimi.[7] In his inaugural address as the 14th Commander of the RBLF, Brigadier General Haji Mohammad Shanonnizam conveyed three fundamental principles; Satria, Setia, and Sedia - that would foster and increase the spirit of chivalry, loyalty, and preparedness to every member in order to ensure the RBLF will carry out its roles and duties as an organization that is united, credible, and flexible in maintaining the peace and prosperity of Brunei.[8]

Pengiran Hajah Rozedah binti Pengiran Haji Sulaiman is the wife of Shanonnizam, and they have a son together. He likes to read and run in his free time.[1]

Shannonizam has earned the following honours;[1]

• Order of Setia Negara Brunei Fourth Class (PSB)
• Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Third Class (SMB)

• Shanonnizam Sulaiman on LinkedIn