S’wak appoints first woman deputy state secretary

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak has set a milestone by appointing Dr Sabariah Putit as Deputy State Secretary (Administration) – the first woman to hold such a position.

The Borneo Post reported that Sabariah, in her new post, would focus on performance and service delivery transformation in relation to issues such as state civil service transformation, educational attainment of students, state public relations strategy, welfare and sports.

She will be working with the state’s two other deputy state secretaries – Ismawi Ismuni and Jaul Samion.

Sabariah, who was appointed to the post on August 8, paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Adenan Satem Wednesday.

She told the Borneo Post that she aspired to see Sarawak progress further and that all Sarawakians would be able to benefit from the state’s development.

“No doubt, there are many challenges ahead, but with more women holding decision-making positions in the civil service, we are ready to work hand in hand with the men in transforming the state as a whole.

“I’m privileged and honoured to serve in the Sarawak civil service,” she said.

Sabariah’s credentials are quite impressive.

Having served in the state civil service for the past 28 years, she has previously held senior positions such as State Human Resource Unit director, Human Resource Development and Quality Unit director, and chief executive officer for the Centre for Modern Management.