Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria was given a teary farewell party on her last day at work on Friday at the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) after clocking in 35 years with the government.
The strong-willed Rebecca, the first woman to hold the position of MITI secretary-general, had been with the ministry since 1981. She was appointed to the post in December 2010.
Admittedly, the last five years were also the most challenging in her public service, dealing with very tough and complex issues, from the Lynas rare earth project in Kuantan to successfully negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Asean chairmanship and national automobile policy.
Rebecca was part of a growing list of career women holding top positions in the government.
Interestingly, it took place during the reign of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who made gender diversity part of his stated mission.
Najib had, in June 2010, announced a national target of 55 per cent female labour participation by last year, as well as a target of 30 per cent women in decision-making roles in the corporate sector by this year.
In the government sector, he has opened doors for capable women to be given top posts in key ministries and agencies.
Rebecca graduated from Universiti Malaya with a B.A. (Hons) in English Literature. She also holds a master’s degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia and received a PhD from University of Georgia in Athens, the United States.
Rebecca will be succeeded by Datuk J. Jayasiri, MITI’s deputy secretary-general (strategy and monitoring) and former chief TPP negotiator.