SAPIAH Mohd Nor makes history as the first Orang Asli woman to be named as the head of the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa).

The 56-year-old Semai replaces Juli Edo as Jakoa’s director-general starting tomorrow.
 
She is the department’s 18th director-general.
 
Her appointment was announced by the Rural Development Ministry today.
 
Rural Development Minister Mahdzir Khalid said Sapiah’s appointment is historic as she is the first Orang Asli woman to be appointed to the highest position in the civil service.
 
“This appointment is also a history for Jakoa as it is led by a woman, thus increasing the involvement of women as decision makers and the Orang Asli community in the civil service,” he said in a statement today.
 
Sapiah has a Master in Business Law from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2007, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the same university in 2001.
 
She started off as an assistant administrative officer in 1991 and has 30 years of extensive experience in the civil service. 

She also served in several ministries and departments previously, including the enforcement division of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry from 2003.

“On behalf of the government and the entire Malaysian family, congratulations and good luck in carrying out your duties,” he said. – September 14, 2021.