Zulhelmy Ithnain

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Ithnain is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Zulhelmy. The word "bin"/"ibn" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Zulhelmy bin Ithnain (born 2 January 1968) is a Malaysian navy officer who serves as Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy since 1 August 2024.^[2] He served in the position in acting capacity from 1 August to 22 September 2024.^[1][3] Prior to his appointment, he previously served as the President of the National Defence Education Centre (PUSPAHANAS) from October 2022 to August 2023.^[4]

Yang Berbahagia Admiral Tan Sri Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain PGAT PSM PJN PSAT DPMS DSPN PAT JMN SIS KAT PJM PPS PPA
Chief of Navy
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 August 2024 Acting: 1 August 2024 to 22 September 2024
Monarch	Ibrahim Iskandar
Minister	Mohamed Khaled Nordin
Deputy	Shamsuddin Ludin
Preceded by	Abdul Rahman Ayob
Deputy Chief of Navy
In office 11 August 2023 – 22 September 2024
Monarchs	Abdullah (2023–2024) Ibrahim Iskandar (since 2024)
Minister	Mohamad Hasan (11 August–12 December 2023) Mohamed Khaled Nordin (since 2023)
Chief of Navy	Abdul Rahman Ayob (until August 2024)
Preceded by	Sabri Zali
Succeeded by	Shamsuddin Ludin
Personal details
Born	(1968-01-02) 2 January 1968 (age 57) Kampung Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia[1]
Military service
Allegiance	Malaysia
Branch/service	Royal Malaysian Navy
Years of service	1986–present
Rank	Admiral
Battles/wars	Second Malayan Emergency

Navy career

Zulhelmy joined the Royal Malaysian Navy as an Officer Cadet on 6 August 1986, and was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant on 1988.^[1]

Among the positions he had held throughout his service include Commander of KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, Commander of RMN Submarine Training Centre and was both deputy commander and subsequently commander of RMN Submarine Force. He also served as Assistant Chief of Naval Sataff of Command, Planning and Development and then served as Commander of RMN Naval Region I in Tanjung Gelang, Kuantan, Pahang before being appointed as President of National Defence Education Centre in 2022.^[4]

Zulhelmy was appointed as Deputy Chief of Navy on 11 August 2023, who succeeding Sabri Zali who appointed as President of National Defence Education Centre.^[1] In August 2024, he appointed as Acting Chief of the Navy following the retirement of his predecessor Abdul Rahman Ayob.^[3]

Zulhelmy was appointed as Chief of Navy on 23 September 2024.^[5]

Honours

Honours of Malaysia

• Malaysia
  • Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2025)^[6]
  • Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN) – Datuk (2024)^[7][8]
  • Companion of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (JMN) (2022)^[9][10]
  • Recipient of the Loyal Service Medal (PPS)^[11]
  • Recipient of the General Service Medal (PPA)^[12]
  • Recipient of the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
  • Recipient of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
• Malaysian Armed Forces
  • Courageous Commander of the Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PGAT) (2024)^[13]
  • Loyal Commander of the Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PSAT) (2021)^[14]
  • Warrior of the Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PAT)
  • Officer of the Most Gallant Order of Military Service (KAT)
  • Recipient of the Malaysian Service Medal (PJM)
• Penang
  • Officer of the Order of the Defender of State (DSPN) – Dato' (2018)^[15]
• Selangor
  • Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (DPMS) – Dato' (2021)^[16][17]
  • Companion of the Order of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (SIS) (2009)^[18][19]
  • Recipient of the Sultan Salahuddin Silver Jubilee Medal

Foreign honours

• France :
  • Chevalier of the Legion of Honour