KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 — National Centre for Defence Studies (Puspahanas) president Vice Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief of Navy effective today, replacing Vice Admiral Datuk Sabri Zali.
The handover of duties ceremony between Zulhelmy and his predecessor was held at Puspahanas Putrajaya, witnessed by the Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang and the Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob.
Zulhelmy, 55, was born on January 2, 1968, in Datuk Keramat and joined the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) on August 6, 1986, receiving his commission in 1988.
He was appointed Puspahanas president on October 6, 2022, and is a Navy submariner, having served as the commander of Kapal Diraja (KD) Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Navy’s first submarine. Under his command, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman successfully made a two-month voyage from France to Malaysia.
He has also been in the Navy’s Submarine Command and held several other positions, including as TLDM Submarine Training Centre Commander and as deputy commander and subsequently commander of TLDM Submarine Force.
Zulhelmy also served as Navy Command, Planning and Development assistant chief of staff and Naval Area 1 Commander in Kuantan, Pahang.
Meanwhile, Sabri, 56, who will be taking over Zulhelmy’s position in Puspahanas, has been Deputy Chief of the Navy since January 27, 2023. He joined the Navy as a cadet officer on December 15, 1984.
He was born on March 4, 1967, in Rawang, Selangor, and was commissioned on December 21, 1987, after completing a three-year International Midshipman course in West Germany.
— Bernama
