Coming home for good

Eager beaver: Dr Rebecca says she is excited to return and contribute as Malaysia takes over the Asean chairmanship in January. — Apec

RETIREMENT is neither in her vocabulary nor will she slow down after six years helming the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) secretariat in Singapore. Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, who has been away in her job as Apec secretariat executive director, will be back in Malaysia soon.

She was chirpy as usual over the phone despite having back to back meetings Thursday morning and just returned from the Apec Economic Leaders Week in Peru. Dr Rebecca, as she prefers to be known, will always make time for people no matter how hectic her schedule is. She doesn’t like to waste time and she doesn’t hold back, always speaking her mind when necessary.