Promotion for able women: CM
Published on: Sunday, August 28, 2016
Keningau: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said he will not hesitate to promote qualified and capable women in the State Civil Service provided they meet the criteria. "I have no problem in opening the door of opportunity for women to become director, permanent secretary, chief executive or deputy chairperson provided the places are available. We will give them due consideration when the time comes."However, there are times when the women officers concerned are at the fourth level or bottom rung of the ladder when an opportunity for promotion comes. That being the case, susah (difficult) to raise their level in a fast manner.
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That would not be betul (right) in terms of peraturan (regulation). Saya tidak boleh paksa (I cannot force)."But if a woman officer is holding the position of deputy director, she automatically takes over if the head of department retires," he said, after launching the State-level Women's Day celebration at the Dewan Serbaguna, Keningau Sports Complex, Saturday.Musa, who is also State Finance Minister, was responding to State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid's request that head of department posts be filled by women when the incumbents retire next year.Musa commended women for their good work. He reiterated the need for women officers to kerja baik-baik (work to the best of their ability) once they are promoted to senior positions. "Jangan kerja tidak baik, nanti masalah juga (If work is not good, there will be problem afterwards)."
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"I am not biased. Don't blame me. Whenever an opportunity arises, I will appoint capable women to occupy the positions. For instance, when the then incumbent State Treasurer (a male) retired some years ago, I promoted the then Deputy State Treasurer who is a lady (Cik Chui Nyet Ngo). Actually, she was not keen to take up the challenge.
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She came to see me and said she was very sorry and did not mind remaining in the same position. I asked her why and said, 'You are scared? Don't worry, I will back you all the way'. Today, she is one of the best State Treasurers that Sabah has ever had. Just look at our State's sound financial position consecutively over the years," he said to applause.Recently, he released Hjh Masnah Matsalleh from the Ministry of Finance although she was a good finance officer in view of her promotion as Director of Sabah Women's Affairs Department (Jhewa). Musa also singled out Hjh Rosmawati Hj Lasuki, the Deputy Director of Yayasan Sabah Group, while praising the Group Manager of the Sabah Handicraft Centre, saying it is a lady – Zaiton Bakri. "She is doing a good job," he said. He noted that the seven working committees of the Sabah Women's Advisory Council (MPWS) were playing a vital role in assisting women and mothers to complement the efforts of the government. These oversee education awareness, economic aspects, health, legal matters, social affairs, gender issues, and women and the media. He also said he has no problem working with women employees. "I was a businessman before I became a politician. The majority of the then City Finance Company (then owned by me) were women," he recalled. In a light vein, Musa said it would not be impossible for men to become "surirumah" in the future while their wives are "breadwinners", going by the current trend of more females graduating from higher institutions of learning."Possible, won't be surprising. It can happen. Whenever I am invited to a convocation ceremony, be it a college or university, I find that the majority of diploma or degree-holders are women," he said.On another note, Musa reminded the women not to shirk their responsibilities as wives and mothers no matter how successful they are in their careers or how high they rise in their respective professions.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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