Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - Eight local female leaders received honors for their exceptional achievements in various fields at the Asia Inc Forum's Women Achievers Awards Ceremony at the Empire Theatre yesterday.

Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Masna, ambassador-at-large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, presented the awards to the women who have made significant contributions to the country.

Justice Datin Paduka Hjh Hayati POKSDSP Hj Mohd Salleh was the first to receive the award as the first local female judge, followed by Datin Paduka Hjh Misli Hj Awang and Datin Paduka Hjh Azizah Panglima Asgar Dato Paduka Hj Abdullah as the first female permanent secretaries in Brunei.

Other recipients were Datin Paduka Dr Hjh Intan, who was the first local female doctor, Lieutenant Colonel Hjh Hasimah Hj Abu Bakat, the first female

high ranking military officer, and Sariana Nordin, the first Brunei female pilot.

Hj Rosmawatty Hj Abd Moulin and Norhayati Abu Bakar were also awarded for being the first female to hold a director position at Brunei Shell Petroleum and the first female explorer respectively.

The awards were recognition of Brunei women who have done well, and is an encouragement for other women to venture into traditional male-dominated areas and break the gender barrier, said Asia Inc Forum Chief Executive Officer Allen Lai.

"Brunei women are on the rise, and we hope to see more in the future," he told The Brunei Times

He added that the awards were held to celebrate women's success in a period where women are coming to the fore.

Justice Datin Paduka Hjh Hayati is currently serving as the high court judge of the Supreme Court. She qualified as a barrister-in-law of Lincoln's Inn, the first local Malay woman to be called to the English Bar.

Datin Pad Mot I Ijh Misli became the first local female permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education in 1997, while nut n Paduka Hjh Azizah was appointed permanent secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth of Sports in the same year.

Ministry of Health Deputy Permanent Secretary Datin Paduka Dr Hjh Intan has been serving the ministry since 1981, and has worked in hospital and public health services.

High-ranked military officer, Lieutenant Colonel Hjh Hasimah, is now the deputy commandant at Ministry of Defense’s Support Services, after enlisting to the military as a recruit at the age of 20.

Hjh Rosmawatty recently succeeded Hj Salleh Bostaman as BSP's asset director earlier in May this year, and has worked both onshore and offshore Brunei to improve the production of oil and gas.

First female pilot Sariana gained her commercial pilots license in 2004 and started flying in the United Kingdom's Liverpool, before starting on B767 conversion training with national carrier Royal Brunei Airlines.

Norhayati was the first Bruneian to travel across 13 countries or 21,000km from Europe, Middle East to North Africa in a four-wheel drive in 1999.

She also led a team of five local women to conquer Africa's Kilimanjaro, the first Asian team to climb the world's highest volcanic mountain in 2001. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times