SHAH ALAM: RMN’s first submarine commanding officer, Admiral Zulhelmy Ithnain, 56, has been appointed as the service’s 19th chief today. Defence Minister DS Khaled Nordin announced the appointment on Twitter or X this afternoon.
Setinggi-tinggi tahniah kepada Laksamana Datuk Zulhelmy bin Ithnain, Panglima Tentera Laut baharu yang menggantikan Laksamana Tan Sri Abdul Rahman bin Ayob yang akan bersara pada 2 Disember 2024.
Laksamana Datuk Zulhelmy merupakan pemegang Ijazah Sarjana National Security… pic.twitter.com/dFziG8XEgB
— Khaled Nordin 🇲🇾 (@KhaledNordin) September 23, 2024
Zulhelmy was also promoted to a four star as he was still a Vice-Admiral when he was appointed as the acting chief on August 1. Zulhelmy was the first commander of KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, the country’s first operational submarine. He was at the helm when the submarine return to Malaysia from France in 2009.
Zulhelmy biodata:
Laksamana Datuk Zulhelmy dilahirkan pada 2 Jan 1968 di Dato’ Keramat, Kuala Lumpur. Beliau telah menerima pendidikan menengah di Maktab Tentera Diraja bermula pada tahun 1981 hingga tahun 1985 dan memulakan karier dalam perkhidmatan TLDM dengan mengikuti latihan sebagai Pegawai Kadet pada tahun 1986 seterusnya ditauliahkan sebagai Leftenan Muda dalam cawangan Eksekutif dua tahun kemudian.
Kerjaya beliau sebagai seorang Submariner bermula pada tahun 1993 apabila memperolehi lencana kepakaran kapal selam setelah menamatkan latihan kapal selam di HMAS Platypus, Australia. Laksamana Datuk Zulhelmy seterusnya telah menamatkan Kursus Kapal Selam di Brest, Perancis dan dianugerahkan Sijil Kelayakan Pegawai Memerintah Kapal Selam jenis Agosta. Sejarah turut tercipta apabila beliau berjaya membawa pulang Kapal Selam Pertama Malaysia KD TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN dari Perancis yang mengambil masa 2 bulan.
Antara jawatan penting yang pernah disandang beliau sepanjang perkhidmatan adalah Panglima Angkatan Kapal Selam, Asisten Ketua Staf Pembangunan (J5) Markas Angkatan Bersama, Asisten Ketua Staf Perancangan dan Pembangunan Markas Tentera Laut, Panglima Wilayah Laut 1, Presiden Pusat Pengajian Pertahanan Nasional (PUSPAHANAS), Timbalan Panglima Tentera Laut seterusnya memegang jawatan Pemangku Panglima Tentera Laut pada 1 Ogos 2024.
Laksamana Datuk Zulhelmy merupakan pemegang Ijazah Sarjana National Security Administration yang mana beliau turut menerima The Outstanding Alumni Award dari National Defence College of the Philippines. Beliau juga merupakan alumni United States Naval War College, Rhode Island dan Royal College of Defence Studies, United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed secretary-general Lokman Hakim Ali reported for duty at the Defence Ministry today. He was accorded the usual courtesy for an incoming secretary-general with an honour guard.
— Malaysian Defence
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Congratulations to the new panglima!
I assume all the previous behind the scenes maneuvering for the position has ended?
yup
If we keep doing this seniority based rank and file succession plan, we get quite elderly people heading the services for maybe max 5 years. Not much change can be done given our small budget.
Down south with their bigger budget they seem to appoint bright young leader in their 40s as chiefs. Thus a better succession planning and better strategic planning. Not just a final post to earn a higher pension.
If all the ”behind the scenes maneuvering for the position” had not ended; he would have been retired with someone else assuming the position. Ultimately; the politics aside; someone had to sign off/agree on it. He had the final say.
Hasnan – ”we get quite elderly people heading the services for maybe max 5 years.”
Us and pretty much the rest of the word; bar the odd exception. He’s also only 56; does that qualify for ”quite elderly”?
Hasnan – ”Not just a final post to earn a higher pension.”
Are you suggesting that’s the real intent behind the desire of those in the top management to reach as far as they can get?
@Hasnan
“appoint bright young leader in their 40s as chiefs.”
Also see the their waistlines compared to ours, can see whom are fitter for the role.
“…we get quite elderly people heading the services for…”
Well it happens in almost all our public & private sector too. Seniority is a norm. Down South is an exception, but up North,war veterans are generals.
Down south being a high ranking military officer or civil servant aren’t the pinnacle of one carries. It’s just a stepping stone, afterwards their carrier would naturally progress to either being a minister or a GLCs direct or first a minister then a GLCs director.
If one were lucky they get entrusted to a GLCs that’s about to do a reorganisation, usually allowing the board of directors to get free shares. Since all these money are obtained legally it’s up to them to *wink wink donate to whichever political party they chose.
Thus obviously over there, the predecessors be it the military chief or minister do not need to fight the successor to choose which missiles a ship shoot. Or which company get to build the ship. Because they all would retired a millionaires regardless of free shares or not and the parties always magically find kind millionaire soul donating to their political fight.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. You going to pay for it one way or the other.
Zaft – ”Down south being a high ranking military officer or civil servant aren’t the pinnacle of one carries”
It isn’t only ”down south”. In most countries former senior ranking officers really only start making money when appointed to various positions in the private sector. Happens everywhere and it makes sense. If you were running a company vying for defence contracts wouldn’t you hire a former senior ranking officer who knows the system; can advise and has a network of contacts which ca be useful.
zaft – ”Thus obviously over there, the predecessors be it the military chief or minister do not need to fight the successor to choose which missiles a ship shoot. Or which company get to build the ship.”
Sorry but this is utter nonsense. Political infighting, scheming or maneuvering will happen everywhere; whether Tongan Defence Forces; the Mongolian army or the USMC.
Plus and minus. Advantageous in having relatively young officers at the top but the disadvantage is they may lack the needed experience which only can be gained by years of service. Yes the SAF has relatively young officers at the top but for those who care to look; there are reasons behind this and it goes back to 1965.
“disadvantage is they may lack the needed experience”
Maybe so but looking at the performance between our Armed Forces filled with near retirees and SAF young & progressive counterparts, its obvious performance & merit results have nothing to do with experience and seniority. In fact, seniority doesnt even automatically confers experience if nothing significant was achieved during such career.
I think Lee Kuan Yew is a fan of Jack Welch and the GE Way
Azlan “It isn’t only ”down south”. In most countries former senior ranking officers really only start making money when appointed to various positions in the private sector”
They already get good money when they are on government payroll. Most would already be a millionaires already by the time they retired. Being the minister and GLCs BOD is icing on the cake. Since their carrier path is more or less secure they are less willing to songlap and risk their future prospects.
Over here like the rest of the world. you don’t songlap you don’t have a bright future. Logically yes positioned in the private sectors post retirements only happen if you are able to change the outcome of a contract or you had done something for the companies while in power and now they compensate you for it.
“Sorry but this is utter nonsense. Political infighting, scheming or maneuvering will happen everywhere”
Yes it’s happen. But it happen for the benefit of the nation rather than their own pocket. Obviously because their pockets is already full.
zaft – ”They already get good money when they are on government payroll.”
Nothing compared to wha they can make as advisors or as board of directors.
zaft – ”Most would already be a millionaires already by the time they retired. ”
Are you stating a fact or assuming and assuming that your assumptions are correct? Very few are ”millionaires;; by the time they retire. They big bucks come in the private sector. I have no idea where you reach your conclusions [like many before] but the average senior officer does not make millions from whatever means by the time he retires.
zaft – ”But it happen for the benefit of the nation rather than their own pocket. ”
You stating a fact or a personal opinion? Think about what you’ve just typed; really? Everywhere else in the world it’s solely/mainly for the ”before of the nation”?
zaft – ”positioned in the private sectors post retirements only happen if you are able to change the outcome of a contract or you had done something for the companies while in power and now they compensate you for it.”
Sorry but this is utter nonsense. You are generalising and assuming.
”In fact, seniority doesnt even automatically confers experience if nothing significant was achieved during such career.”
”Achieving” something and gaining experience during the course of a career can be two very different things. I know a Petty Officer who has ”experience” by virtue of years in service and having been sent abroad foe technical training but was not promoted for years and declined the chance for further opportunities. He did not achieve anything ”significant” [judging by your definition] but merely did his job and did it well. He is’ ‘experienced”’; to the extent that he has to sort out things which at times officers can’t. I also knew a AQM who spent years behind a cockpit; at one time up to 10 hours a day; he could do everything a AQM is tasked to do and more; he was truly relied on. He was ”experienced” but may not have achieved anything ”significant” but so what?
“but so what?”
Its this mentality why our Armed Forces are filled with seniority focused people whom would fare poorly vs SAF younger generation of warfighters at every level. Experience should be recognised, achievements should be rewarded. Seniority has nothing to do with both, a high achiever in SAF would acquire both and still can rise at a younger age. Its this essence of meritocracy why SG has been and will always be ahead of us.
Azlan “Nothing compared to wha they can make as advisors or as board of directors.”
Precisely why their gov keep them Inside the GLCs.
Azlan “average senior officer does not make millions from whatever means by the time he retires.”
Average senior officer don’t make multimillion decisions do they?
Azlan “Everywhere else in the world it’s solely/mainly for the ”before of the nation”?”
Precisely the reason why SG/HK approach to reduce the risk of graft aren’t universal.
Zaft – ”Average senior officer don’t make multimillion decisions do they?”
Irrelevant; you claimed that ”Most would already be a millionaires already by the time they retired” – this by you and not an imposter I assume.
zaft – ”Precisely why their gov keep them Inside the GLCs.”
Yes but so? You actually know the point you’re driving at?
zaft – ”Precisely the reason why SG/HK approach to reduce the risk of graft aren’t universal.”
Ok then why make this off centered statement – ”verywhere else in the world it’s solely/mainly for the ”before of the nation”?”
”Its this mentality why our Armed Forces are”
Hardly; I just pointed out that one can be senior and have contributed; whilst not doing anything ”significant”. Various prerequisites exist for senior command; experience one of them. Not doing anything ”significant” does not mean one’s not fit for command; lots of people reach high positions whilst not having done anything ”significant” per see. You can do your job well but at the same time not do anything ”significant”.
”Seniority has nothing to do with both”
Anyone say otherwise?
”seniority focused people whom would fare poorly vs SAF younger generation of warfighters at every level. ”
Until a conflict arises we won’t know for sure. Singapore has ”young” officers because of the way it started out in 1965 and its conscription system.