It was a proud moment for the nation as the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) recorded a major milestone in its history.
Recently, Major General Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng has officially been promoted to Lieutenant General, making him the first Malaysian Chinese to ever attain the prestigious three-star rank in ATM.
The promotion ceremony, held on 23 June 2025 at Wisma Pertahanan, was officiated by Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Hj Mohd Nizam bin Hj Jaffar, with all service chiefs in attendance.
According to FMT, ATM highlighted that the promotion reflects the organisation’s commitment to merit and service excellence, while also reinforcing the fact that opportunities in the armed forces are accessible to all.
It is hoped that this will also inspire greater interest among other ethnic groups to pursue a career in this noble profession,” the statement read.
A decorated career built on discipline and excellence
Born and raised in Melaka, Lim received his early education at SK St Francis (1973–1978) and later at SMK St Francis (1979–1983).
In the Facebook post shared by ATM, Datuk Johnny then joined the 25th Regular Commissioning Course (TJT 25) and underwent military training at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom in 1986.
Upon completion, he was commissioned into the Royal Ranger Regiment (RRD).
Throughout his career, Johnny Lim has served in several prominent roles, including:
- Chief Instructor at the Army Combat Training Centre (PULADA)
- Commander of the 31st Infantry Brigade
- Inspector General of the Army
- Chief of Staff at the Western Field Command Headquarters
He currently serves as the Commandant of the National Resilience College (Maktab Ketahanan Nasional), a post he will retain following his promotion.
Globally trained and multilingual
Apart from being a graduate of the Australian Army Command and Staff College, Lim also holds Master’s degrees from the University of Canberra and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Notably, he is proficient in the Korean language—a skill developed through his military studies in South Korea and Spain.
A meaningful milestone for unity in diversity
Datuk Johnny Lim’s achievement not only reflects his personal dedication and professionalism, but also stands as a symbol of ATM’s embrace of diversity.
As the first Malaysian Chinese to wear the rank of Lieutenant General, his story is sure to encourage others from various backgrounds to contribute to the nation through military service.
A moment of pride, and a sign of progress for the Malaysian Armed Forces.
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