By Mary Chin
KOTA KINABALU: Qualified and capable women in Sabah have been accorded a fair deal at least in the State Civil Service under the Warisan-led Government, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
She made this observation in conjunction with the State-level Women’s Day and International Women’s Day celebration today (Sunday).
In her message, Liew, who is also Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, said : “I am proud to see that more Sabah women are holding senior positions in the hierarchy of the State Administration, based on their merits and experience, and not because they make up the fairer gender.
They were promoted accordingly after the new State Coalition came to power less than two years ago.
“With more women graduates joining the workforce, I am sure those who choose a career in public service will also be in the forefront one day.”
Those promoted to be Permanent Secretaries were Hajah Masnah Matsalleh (Ministry of Local Government and Housing), Dr Mariana Tinggal (Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry) and Jasmine Teo (Ministry of Education and Innovation), thus making a total of four women permanent secretaries, including Datuk Janet Chee (Ministry of Health and People’s Well-being). Few are aware that Helena Masry is the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the State Finance Ministry.
For the first time, Josie Lai, a senior woman civil servant, was elevated to the position of Deputy Director of the State Public Service Department (JPAN).
Similarly, we have an economist rising to the rank of Director of the State Economic Planning Unit (Upen) in the person of Gwendolen Vu. Presently, Diyanah Abdullah has set a new record as the first woman District Officer of Kota Belud.
Noorliza Awang Alip created history as the first woman to occupy the post of Director-General of Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK). She was promoted last year.
And Erniwaty Abas has since been made Director of the Department of Computer Service. Other women named as Directors include Majella Tan Marquez (Sabah State Archives) and Masturah Jamrah (Sabah Women’s Affairs Department).
Liew, who is Api Api Assemblywoman and MP for Tawau, also noted that women who have carved out careers for themselves in the private sector, are achievers too in their own right.
While lauding the Sabah Women’s Advisory Council (MPWS), led by Datuk Noni J. Said, and Sabah Women’s Affairs Department (JHEWA) for their good work in providing women empowerment programmes, Liew said much remains to be done to bridge the economic gap between urban women and their rural sisters.
“Keep up the momentum. I know you have the ability to do more,” she said.
“Although taking charge of women’s affairs is not my portfolio, I, as a woman Deputy Chief Minister, would be happy to support women in whatever way possible and through my ministerial capacity,” she assured, adding that opportunities abound in the tourism industry.
At this juncture, Liew urged women entrepreneurs to avail themselves
of the economic stimulus package that was recently introduced to mitigate the negative effects of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.
The Minister also welcomed the news that the World Bank Group is making available an initial package of up to US$12 billion in
immediate support to assist countries coping with the health and economic impacts of Covid-19.
On another note, Liew reminded all working women and home-makers not to neglect their health while pursuing their careers or managing their families.
“Health comes first. No matter how preoccupied you may be, do make
time for regular health screening for your own good and that of your families,” she advised. “I am saddened to learn that women have succumbed to cancer, for example, in their prime life due to late
detection or treatment.” -ENDS-
