Pehin Dato Haji Sulaiman Bin Haji Awang Damit

Sulaiman bin Damit (28 March 1941 – 8 July 2016) is a Bruneian aristocrat, diplomat, and military officer who served as the second commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) from 1990 to 1994. He later became Brunei's ambassador to Egypt from 1995 to 1998.

Early life and education Sulaiman bin Damit was born on 28 March 1941 in Kampong Keriam, Tutong District. He began his formal education at Seria Malay School from 1948 to 1952 before continuing his studies at Anthony Abell College from 1953 to 1960. In early December 1960, a radio station and the local newspaper announced a two-year officer cadet training opportunity at the Federation Military College (FMC) in Malaya. By mid-December, 17 cadets who had applied for the programme underwent a selection process at the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College gymnasium in Tasek Lama, where they were interviewed by a panel of four officers from the Malayan armed forces. Only three out of the seven candidates were selected: Sulaiman, Mohammad Daud, and Awangku Ibnu Basit, who became known as the "three musketeers." On 24 December 1960, they took their oaths before departing Brunei the next day through Singapore.

During their first year as junior cadets, they underwent basic military training, which included parade drills, weapons handling, tactics, administration, and the military code of justice. Alongside their military instruction, they also received academic education to prepare for the Higher School Certificate, equivalent to the GCE 'A' Level. Their second year of senior cadet training was significantly more challenging. By 4 November 1961, as part of the Malayan armed forces, the cadets were temporarily assigned to a battalion in Mentakab, Pahang, and Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, where they gained practical experience and further honed their skills.

Military career

On 8 December 1962, Sulaiman was among the three musketeers to be commissioned as a second lieutenant by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, in a ceremony presided over by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaya, Putra of Perlis. This marked the official start of his military career. Having completed his officer cadet training, he had earned the rank of second lieutenant. During his time at the FMC, Sulaiman underwent training in infantry tactics, jungle warfare, public order management, and ceremonial duties, all of which equipped him for a future leadership role in the armed forces. In 1968, he, alongside the other "three musketeers," underwent advanced small weapons and tactics training at the British Army School of Infantry in Warminster. This was followed by attachments to three British battalions in Germany and a British infantry brigade. On 1 July 1969, he was promoted to major, alongside Captain H. N. Houghton, after completing this training.

In 1971, Sulaiman attended the British Army Staff College in Camberley to further his professional development. During the 1986 defence reshuffle, he was elevated to brigadier general and appointed commander task force. After completing a programme at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, he was appointed deputy commander of the RBAF. On 10 August 1990, he was ultimately promoted to commander of the RBAF and chief of armed forces staff. previously served as the chief instructor at the Defence Academy RBAF. Meanwhile, his other son, Muhammad Adib, is the ketua kampung of Kampong Panchor, which includes Kampong Panchor Dulit and Kampong Panchor Papan.

Titles, styles and honours

Titles and styles

On 3 October 1974, Sulaiman was honoured by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah with the manteri title of , bearing the style .

National

Foreign

Honorary Courageous Commander of The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PGAT; 1994)

Things named after him Jalan Pehin Sulaiman, a road in Tutong Camp