KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor-born Rohana Jupri, 57, made history yesterday as Malaysia's first woman to be appointed First Admiral in the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).
The pinning of ranks ceremony by RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Reza Mohd Sany took place at KD Sri Gombak in Jalan Padang Tembak here yesterday.
Rohana, who has been with the navy for 36 years, was promoted to the rank of First Admiral from Captain.
The mother of four, who hails from Tanjong Karang, joined RMN on Dec 20, 1984. She now holds the position of RMN headquarters materials division senior director and the assistant chief of staff (logistics) at the National Task Force.
Her advancement as First Admiral also marked her entry as the first woman in the RMN Admiralty Board that was traditionally spearheaded by her male colleagues since it was formed.
"This is the highest recognition I have received throughout my years of service and since RMN celebrated its 86th anniversary.
"This goes to show that women do have roles to play in the navy and their presence is acknowledged by the top management. I have confidence that our women officers and personnel can discharge the duties entrusted to them excellently," she said.
On the challenges faced by women in the navy, which is largely male-dominated, Rohana said women should strive for excellence in their chosen career with strength and confidence despite any prevalent workplace constraints that might exist in any other organisation.
"Everyone is given equal opportunities to excel in the navy and it is up to the person to prove his or her worth. For me, I do not give myself any excuses when I face any challenges, including the time when I was deployed without my family with me. I also took extra courses and pursued a Masters degree to better myself.
"Women can always rise higher when they have determination, willpower, knowledge and experience," she said.
Reza commended Rohana for her achievement, adding it was a significant day for the navy.
"Congratulations on your well-earned historic achievement and welcome aboard. Rohana has previously held certain posts and she discharged her duties very well. We feel it is appropriate for her to be promoted to First Admiral.
"Her services are on a par with her male colleagues and she outshone them all (with the promotion). I hope her success will be a source of inspiration to all the navy community, especially the women officers and personnel.
"I believe she will become an inspiration to many, who would want to follow in her footsteps," he said, adding that 375 officers and 2,896 personnel were promoted this year.
At the same ceremony, First Admiral Datuk Affenddy Suhaimi was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral as the assistant chief of staff materials division.
Commander Mohamed Zulkefli Mohamood, now promoted to the rank of Captain, will now be the Armed Forces headquarters transportation staff officer; while Lieutenant Commander Mohd Syahrum Kamarludin was promoted to the rank of Commander and is now Staff Officer 2 Strategy of RMN headquarter's Operations and Strategy.