Lieutenant General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef has retired from the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) after serving for 39 years. According to the military act, personnel must retire at the age of 60, leading to his retirement at this age.
In recognition of his long and distinguished service, Lieutenant General (retired) Abdul Raheem was honored with an honor guard at a special retirement ceremony held at the MNDF headquarters, Bandaara Koshi. During the ceremony, Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon presented him with a special letter from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Commander-in-Chief , along with a military decoration board.
At the ceremony, Vice Chief of Defence Force Brigadier General Ibrahim Hilmee presented Lieutenant General (retired) Abdul Raheem with a letter from MNDF and a temporary retirement card. A video presentation showcasing Abdul Raheem's valuable services to MNDF, starting from his enlistment on February 18, 1985, was also featured.
Abdul Raheem has made significant contributions to the development of the Maldivian military, holding positions such as Chief of Defence Force and Vice Chief of Defence Force. He has undergone numerous trainings both locally and overseas and has served in various staff and command roles, including commanding army units, co-commanding, and area-commanding. Additionally, he has served as a spokesperson and Chief Financial Officer at MNDF.
Throughout his tenure, Abdul Raheem actively participated in operations such as combating the terrorist attack on November 3, 1988, and contributing to recovery efforts following the 2004 tsunami. He played key roles in operations such as the 17th SARC Summit in 2011 and aiding tsunami victims in securing permanent housing in Maamendhoo. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he provided valuable contributions to special operations conducted by MNDF.
For his dedicated service, Abdul Raheem has been honored with 12 medals and 11 colors, recognizing his achievements and commitment to military discipline. Additionally, he received the prestigious presidential award for service to the state in 2021, acknowledging his over 35 years of service to the Maldivian government.