KOTA KINABALU: Gender discrimination is a thing of the past in Sabah's civil service as women today serve in key roles in the administration, says Datuk Christina Liew.
The state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said the state government has consistently promoted qualified and capable women civil servants to key roles in the administration as equal partners in development.
Liew said gone are the days when there was blatant gender discrimination where married women were only given temporary appointments in the state civil service, particularly in the 1970s.
"Today, women are no longer marginalised in the civil service. On the contrary, deserving ones are accorded due recognition by being appointed to important positions in the state government," Liew said in her National Women's Day message on Friday (Aug 23).
Looking at the current makeup of the state civil service, she said women helmed the permanent secretary positions in three state ministries.
"Rarely do we have three women serving as permanent secretaries in the respective state ministries at one time, and this meets the 30% target for women's involvement in the decision-making process.
"This exercise, among other moves, reflects gender equity on the part of the state government. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, we have a gender-friendly government.
"It also demonstrates the government's growing acceptance of the significant role of women and their abilities, alongside their male counterparts," she said.
Liew was referring to Josie Lai Mei Sing (Permanent Secretary to the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry), Maria Chong (Permanent Secretary to the Community Development and Well-being Ministry) and and Datuk Norlijah Danin (Permanent Secretary to the Rural Development Ministry).
Liew added that the first woman permanent secretary was Datuk Chin Kui Bee in 1987.
Liew said that currently, there were seven women deputy permanent secretaries and from the total of 44 heads of government departments, 11 were women.
"We have exceeded our 30% target," she said.
"At the rate we are going, we are confident of having yet another woman deputy state secretary in the near future based on seniority, experience and work performance," Liew added.
Previously, she said Datuk Noni Said was appointed as the first woman Deputy State Secretary in 2005, followed by Datuk Maznah Ghani, Datuk Asnimar Sukardi and Datuk Mariam Omar Matusin.
Other prominent women in the Sabah Civil Service include state Treasurer Datuk Mary Sipaun and Director of the State Economic Planning Unit (EPU) Datuk Jasmine Teo.
Liew reminded civil servants on the call by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar for good governance, increased productivity, improved efficiency, and upholding of service integrity.
