KOTA KINABALU: There is no gender inequality in the Malaysian armed forces, says Mejar Patricia Yapp Syau Yin (pic) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the first Malaysian woman to fly the MiG-29 (corrected).
She said the Malaysian military’s fair treatment of women officers and personnel reflects the Government’s practice of gender equality.
She added that she was able to fulfil her dream to fly fighter jets because of her passion in her chosen career in aviation and backed by high commitment and discipline to succeed in what is usually viewed as a man’s world.
“The military gives fair treatment to both men and women, and this is something we see in the Government as well, where men and women hold high positions.
“But it is all about your interests and commitment, and most of all, God’s blessing that will help you to succeed,” she said when met by reporters after being conferred the Sabah Woman of Excellence Award during the state-level Women’s Day celebration here on Saturday.
Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman presented the award to Mejar Yapp, who also walked home with RM5,000, a trophy and certificate.
The mother of two, whose husband also serves in the RMAF, also expressed her ambition to become the first Malaysian woman astronaut.
She has begun preparations towards achieving that dream.
Mejar Yapp, who has been with the RMAF for 20 years, began flying fighter jets from 2003. She is also Asia’s first female pilot qualified to fly the Russian-made Mikoyan MiG-29.
Applause rang out at the state-level Women’s Day celebration as a smiling Mejar Yapp, who was in her pilot’s uniform, waved to the crowd when she took to the stage to receive her award.
After the ceremony, she was mobbed by attendees of the celebration wanting to be photographed with her, to which she willingly obliged. — Bernama
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