Mohammad, 59, takes over the number one defence post from General (Rtd) Affendi Buang who goes on mandatory retirement.

Prior to his appointment, Mohammad held the post of army chief, a post to which he was appointed on March 22 this year.

The ceremony for the handover of duties was graced by defence minister Mohamad Hasan at Wisma Pertahanan here.

Mohammad studied at Sekolah Menengah Sains Kelantan before continuing his studies at the Royal Military College (RMC) in 1980.

Mohammad pursued his undergraduate studies in computer science at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, United States.

He was commissioned as a young officer in the Royal Malay Regiment on July 1, 1987.

Throughout his service, Mohammad attended various courses locally and abroad, including the grade two staff and tactics course in Waiouru, New Zealand and at the Army Command and Staff College in Queenscliffe, Australia.

He is also a graduate of the Armed Forces Defence College in Kuala Lumpur, holding a master’s degree in defence studies from the University of Canberra, Australia, and a master’s degree in social science (defence studies) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Among the significant positions Mohammad has held are deputy army chief, commander of the army western field, army training commander, acting director of domestic operations at the joint force headquarters, chief of staff at the 3rd infantry brigade headquarters, and chief of staff at the 3rd infantry division headquarters.

Also present at the ceremony were chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) General Asghar Khan Goriman Khan and chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy Admiral Abdul Rahman Ayob.