Muhammad Wata

Muhammad Wata bin Abdullah Awat (born 20 March 1975), simply known as Wata, is a Bruneian military officer who served as the current Deputy Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) since 2022. Additionally, he was among the contingent attached to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao.

Military career On 18 April 1996, Wata enlisted in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). On 4 November 1996, he was commissioned as an officer cadet after completing the basic recruit training. On 4 February 1998, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant after completing his Officer Cadet Course in Singapore with distinction. In 1998, he served as an infantry platoon commander with 'G' Company of the Second Battalion RBLF (2Bn RBLF). In the UK, he participated in the Platoon Commander Battle Course. After that, he went to Training Team Brunei (TTB) Seria for the Jungle Warfare Long Range Patrol training. Later, in late December 1998, he went to Changi Air Base, Singapore, for the 154th Airborne training.

In Admin Company 2Bn RBLF, he worked as a motor transport officer before being appointed to the rank of lieutenant in 2001. After being elevated to the rank of captain in 2002, Wata was assigned to the Third Battalion RBLF (3Bn RBLF) as the officer commanding of the mortar platoon. He completed the UK-based 81 mm Mortar Platoon Commander Course in 2003. After that, from 2005 to 2006, he served as an adjutant of the 3Bn RBLF. He participated in the Junior Staff Course at Civil Service Institute (IPA), Gadong, in 2005. from September 2006 to September 2007, gaining operational experience.

As part of his internationally tour of duty, Major Wata was among Brunei's IMT contingent Batch 3 in 2006–2007 to observe the progress of the negotiations for peace between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. On 13 October 2008, the Brunei contingent commander, along with four other former leaders and thirty-six members of the team, including him, received plaques and certificates of appreciation from the Philippine government for their assistance in keeping an eye on the peace process in Mindanao.

He assumed leadership of the RBLF as Deputy Commander on 20 October 2022, On 6 November 2022, in Hanoi, Vietnam, he participated the 30th ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) 2022. He was again present in the Infantry Center, Fort Thanarat, Thailand, for the 31st ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) in 2023.

Personal life Wata is married to Lieutenant Colonel Siti Norlelawati binti Haji Emran, and they have three daughters and a son. He enjoys fishing and playing sports such as sepak takraw, volleyball, football, badminton, and others.

Foreign