KUALA LUMPUR: Newly appointed Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain has set four key pillars to guide the Navy to be a formidable maritime force capable of safeguarding Malaysia's maritime interests.
He said it was essential for the RMN to evolve into a more comprehensive naval force, one that is capable of conducting operations and engaging in warfare across all four dimensions – air, surface, subsurface and electronic.
As such, Zulhelmy outlined four key pillars namely in the aspects of fleet readiness, modernisation plan, inter-agency integration and synergy as well as human resource management.
"The first pillar is to ensure fleet readiness as a primary focus considering the challenges posed by the number of current assets compared with operational demands. Only a high level of readiness will allow us to fully meet our operational assignments.
"The fleet's ability to respond quickly and efficiently to any threats or challenges at sea is critical in safeguarding the sovereignty and maritime interests of our nation.
"The readiness of the ships, including equipment and technical support systems, must always be in the best possible condition. Scheduled maintenance, which has long been practised, is not just a necessity but a priority that needs continuous monitoring," he said in his inaugural address to the navy today.
Zulhelmy was recently appointed as the 19th Navy chief on Sept 23 after succeeding Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob.
The second pillar, Zulhelmy said, was centred on strengthening the alignment of the Navy's 15 to 5 Transformation Plan.
"This plan serves as a modern acquisition and replacement strategy for more advanced vessels, equipped with the latest technology and built domestically by local shipyards.
"This acquisition plan is highly significant as it will enable the navy to conduct operations more efficiently and effectively.
"Coupled with the overlapping maritime zone disputes in Malaysian waters, particularly in the South China Sea, and the presence of foreign naval assets in the nation's maritime areas, drastic and holistic measures must be undertaken to ensure Malaysia remains peaceful and secure," he said.
He added that the third pillar was on strengthening integration and synergy among the forces in the country, where it has become an increasingly essential aspect in almost all defence operations.
"We can no longer act alone. We must integrate different expertise, resources and technologies. This 'jointness' involves not only combining resources and assets but also fostering closer cooperation between various branches and agencies, such as the Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Air Force and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
"This cooperation also extends to the public sector, industry and international partners," he said, adding that the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach was also vital for effective collaboration and addressing future challenges.
Zulhelmy said the fourth pillar was to empower human resource management as the strength and effectiveness of the navy relied not just on assets and technology but also on effective human resource management.
He said the Navy must focus on developing its personnel to ensure they can perform their duties responsibly.
"To achieve this, we need to provide clear career paths and promotion opportunities based on merit. This way, every member feels valued and motivated. Improvements to human resource policies, including updating career structures and competency standards, should continue to support this goal.
"We also must ensure efficient planning that aligns with acquiring new assets. We need to ensure that our organisational structure meets current needs and fulfils government mandates. Ongoing efforts should focus on assigning the right people to the right roles to create a fulfilling work environment," he said.