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His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s surprise titah delivered today that was broadcast nationwide by Radio Televisyen Brunei, marked a significant milestone in the country’s modern history, with the appointment of two women into the country’s newly-announced cabinet.
The announcement of Datin Elinda Hj C A Mohamed and Datin Paduka Dr Hjh Romaizah Hj Mohd Salleh who were appointed as deputy ministers at the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Education respectively has reinstated women leadership in Brunei’s top most government hierarchies following the appointment of the last female deputy minister eight years ago in 2010.
During the last cabinet reshuffle in 2015, many among Brunei’s female community expressed dismay over the lack of female representation in the country’s policy decision making level but the revival of these fresh faces have rejuvenated hope for the women of Brunei in advocating not just national development but also the inclusion of women’s opinions at the forefront of future national policies.
With the whole of womankind now looking towards this new generation of female trailblazers, the responsibility they are expected to shoulder will shape the direction of their respective ministries towards Wawasan 2035 as a whole, particularly in the jurisdictions of the PMO and in the field of education.
With these two deputy ministers, they bring varied experiences that are in line with their respective appointments. Datin Elinda was appointed permanent secretary at the PMO in November last year and held the directorship of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, whilst Datin Paduka Dr Hjh Romaizah was the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education and a board member of Institute of Brunei Technical Education.
In a text interview, Yang Behormat Khairunnisa Ash’ari, among Brunei’s youngest Legislative Council Member and youth representative, said that, “The appointment of two female deputy ministers is also a positive step, highlighting the important role of women in a nation’s development.”
This step in women’s achievement and modernity, she added, “Have demonstrated that women in Brunei have the capacity and opportunity to break the glass ceiling through dedication and hard work,” with the hope that Brunei’s latest women leaders can inspire other young women “to aspire to be the best versions of themselves without worrying about gender stereotypes”.
With the update of female leaders in the government sector, women are now bold enough to hope for even more as the country continues to progress with one government employee, Zarine Haji Salleh, expressing optimism that perhaps this move will pave way for Brunei’s first minister.
The two female deputy ministers, she said, “Is really encouraging and good to see because I ensure that more female voices will be heard in importance places.”
The professional evolution of women involvement in the country’s decision-making process began rather humbly with the appointment of former deputy minister Datin Paduka Hjh Adina Othman at the country’s Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the country’s youngest ministry. This was then followed by a two-year hiatus without a female face in the cabinet to represent half of the population where many had assumed another five-year wait in 2015 was in store for this form of equality. But after today, those who assumed this have expressed relief at the progress Brunei is making for female inclusion.
The women that the New Brunei Daily reached out to expressed their enthusiasm over this turn of developments that prevailed over a stretch of time during which witnessed a patriarchal hold on the country’s progress. But even with this change, there is a concern that these women deputy ministers will limit themselves based on their title.
A retired senior government officer, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern that these women leaders will succumb to the “deputy syndrome” referring to the role that may not carry the same weightage as a the higher ranking ministerial title thus signifying the need for better support among the cabinet’s members to ensure that both Datin Paduka and Datin would be given the full support and opportunity to rise to the occasion despite their relatively junior rankings in Bruneian politics.
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