KUCHING, May 4: Sarawak special officer to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) Voon Shiak Ni has lauded the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s progression after a year in office and also for being a gender-sensitive and gender-balanced government.
Voon said this after acknowledging PH’s appointment of the first female minister for KPKT and recently the first female Chief Justice of Malaysia.
“It shows that the government is a progressive one and a gender-sensitive and gender-balanced government, which is long overdue in Malaysia,” she said in a statement today.
In her International Fire Fighters Day message, Voon extended her gratitude and appreciation to all firefighters in the country for their commitment and sacrifices to their job.
“Today, for the first time in the history of Malaysia, Bomba has a female minister in Zuraida Kamaruddin, and I personally view this as a bold step taken by the prime minister,” said Voon, who is also Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) National vice Women chief.
“Her diligence and commitment to her ministry, especially for her firefighting teams, have generated positive vibes on the ground and gained public recognition as one of the most effective and diligent ministers.
“She has shown her passion, care and concern for the firefighters and was praised by the public at large and also by the opposition. Datuk Halimah Mohd Sadique, a former Deputy Urban Well being, Housing and Local Government Minister, praised Zuraida in the Dewan Rakyat last year for her fast action and her sensitivity in addressing emergencies affecting firefighters and the people,” said Voon.
She pointed out that during the tragic incidents where six firemen drowned in a Puchong mining pond and the brutal and fatal attack on fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim in the Seafield temple riots, Zuraida was among the first to be at the site of the emergencies to lend a helping hand.
“Zuraida, during the Seafield temple incident, was angry and disappointed and had made a strong call for respect and recognition of all unformed civil servants as they are merely carrying out their duties. She is a minister with a heart for the people,” she said.
On the appointment of Datuk Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat as the Chief Justice of Malaysia, Voon said it showed the commitment of the PH government in recognising the ability, quality and the potentials in women leaders.
“It also showed that the PH government believed that gender politics matters in the delivery of good governance for the people. The common narrative around the world now is — More Women, Better Nation,” she said. — DayakDaily
