First woman DPM clocks in for work

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Dr Wan Azizah shows the time card before scanning it via the Attendance Management System (TAMS) upon arriving at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office in Perdana Putra. Looking on at right is Ali. — Bernama photo

PUTRAJAYA: The first woman Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) of Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was all smiles when she arrived at the lobby of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office in Perdana Putra building here yesterday for her first day of work in her new post.

The Prime Minister’s Department staff, led by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, came out in full force to greet her as she stepped out of her car to report for duty.

Dressed in a floral ‘kebaya’ outfit and a white ‘tudung’, the slightly-built and soft-spoken Dr Wan Azizah walked into the lobby and clocked in at 9.59am. A short ‘doa’ (recitation of prayer) was then conducted.

She was then escorted by Ali and Prime Minister’s Department senior deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohd Zuki Ali to her office on Level 4, where she signed in and was given a special briefing by Ali.

A mother of six, Dr Wan Azizah, 66, said she was committed to working as a team with the members – complementing  one another under the leadership of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

As the country’s Number 2 leader, Dr Wan Azizah said her priority now is to learn and continue efforts to meet the expectations of the people.

“I am in a new place, where I am not familiar, so I will ask first, meet the people who have handled this ministry all this time. For 61 years, we did not have a change. I now have to learn. I need to know and get guidance from government officers who have been providing the services all this time,” she said in her first press conference as the DPM afterwards.

On her appointment as Malaysia’s first woman DPM, Dr Wan Azizah said it was an honour to all the women in the country.

“I feel this is an opportunity and also a privilege. I am honoured and humbled as our country has reached this stage peacefully. I think it (her appointment as deputy prime minister) means so much for the women of Malaysia,” she said.

On her meeting with Dr Mahathir at the Perdana Leadership Foundation office here in the morning, Dr Wan Azizah – also Women and Family Development Minister – said she sought his advice on various matters to improve productivity and avoid wastage.

On the ‘Women Empowerment Year’ launched by the previous government, Dr Wan Azizah said she was reviewing it.

“There may be some improvement on the plans – if it needs be,” she said. — Bernama