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, Sabri, was held at Puspahanas Putrajaya, witnessed by Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang and Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob.

Zulhelmy, 55, was born on Jan 2, 1968 in Datuk Keramat here, and joined the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) on Aug 6, 1986, receiving his commission in 1988.

He was appointed Puspahanas president on Oct 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 made a two-month voyage from France to Malaysia successfully.

He has also in the Navy’s Submarine Command and held several other positions, including TLDM Submarine Training Centre Commander and both 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 held the position of Deputy Chief of Navy since Jan 27, 2023. He joined the Navy as a cadet officer on Dec 15, 1984.

He was born on March 4, 1967 in Rawang, Selangor, and was commissioned on Dec 21, 1987, after completing a three-year International Midshipman course in West Germany.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency