KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 — Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain will assume the duties of chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) with immediate effect.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the appointment followed the mandatory retirement of MAF chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaafar.
"The Defence Ministry expresses its highest appreciation for the service, leadership, and contributions of General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar throughout his tenure as Armed Forces chief, and wishes him a smooth retirement," he said.
Zulhelmy was appointed as the Navy chief on September 23, replacing Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob, who retired.
On January 31, Nizam, 59, was appointed as the 23rd Chief of the MAF, making him the first senior officer outside the existing service chiefs to hold the highest position.
The Army officer was promoted to Lieutenant General on February 23 last year and has held important positions, including Commandant of the National Defence College, Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Command training management director, and Commander of the 2nd Malaysian Army Infantry Brigade.
