Bandar seri begawan: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, conferred the rank insignia of Lieutenant Colonel upon His Royal Highness 920 Major (Udara) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen this morning. The Promotion Ceremony was held at the Officers’ Mess, Bolkiah Garrison, with the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
According to Radio Television Brunei, upon arrival at the Parade Square, Tower Block, Ministry of Defence, His Majesty was welcomed by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohammad Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Defence, along with Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). The ceremony commenced with His Majesty receiving the Royal Salute and inspecting the Guard of Honour before moving to the Officers’ Mess for the conferment of the rank insignia.
The reading of Surah Al-Fatihah was led by Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Mujib bin Japar, Acting Director of the RBAF Religious Directorate, JAMA’AT. His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, a dedicated military officer, was commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. He is a qualified pilot of the Royal Brunei Air Force, certified to fly the S70i Blackhawk, and holds badges from both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Brunei Air Force.
In addition to Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, His Majesty also conferred rank promotions upon 18 other RBAF officers to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel/Commander, Royal Brunei Navy, effective from August 8, 2025. The ceremony concluded with the reading of Doa Selamat by the Acting Director of JAMA’AT.
His Royal Highness joined the Special Forces Regiment on October 28, 2019, and completed the All Arms Commando Course at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone, Devon, United Kingdom in December 2021, earning the Green Beret. He further advanced his military education by completing the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the United Kingdom Defence Academy, Shrivenham, in July 2025, enhancing his leadership capabilities as a Senior RBAF Officer.
The event concluded with His Majesty and members of the Royal Family partaking in light refreshments.