Women

I am what I am because of you

Women are just like one of the wings of a bird, that together with their other half, soar towards success and prosperity in the world.

Not until our women have achieved equal success in the world of men, can we say equality between men and women has been achieved.

Among outstanding women are Anita Sarawak, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Datuk Nicole David, Teresa Kok, Wan Zaleha Radzi, and the late Yasmin Ahmad.

Truly, women like them play a very significant role alongside men to make our nation proud.

We marvel at their contributions in various walks of life – broadcasting, entertainment, law, politics, science and technology, and sports.

Besides, we have many outstanding women academicians in our nation: Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Nik Safiah Karim, Prof Tan Sri Sharifah Habsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin, and many more.

Allow me to wax lyrical on my admiration for Dr Nik Safiah, my mentor at Universiti Malaya.

A Malay language expert, she wrote more than 30 books and hundreds of research papers and articles throughout her academic career.

Though retired many years ago, she is still engaged as a Guest Researcher at the Malay Academy Studies, Universiti Malaya.

An excellent academician, she had nurtured many good students.

She was a friendly, down to earth, humble lecturer who motivated her students to achieve excellence in studies and in life.

Dr Nik Safiah is passionate about championing women’s developments and rights and is actively engaged in the National Council of Women’s Organisations, Majlis Perunding Wanita Islam Malaysia, and the Women’s Graduate Council.

As we commemorate the 100th Year of International Women’s Day, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Dr Nik Safiah and all other women who have been instrumental in my success in life.

I am what I am today because of all of you. Thank you, all of you.