Digest on Malaysian News

Colonel Norhuda Ahmad created history when she was promoted as the first woman Brigadier General from the Malaysian Armed Forces general duty.

Norhuda, 54, who was previously the Head of the Asean Branch, Integrated Intelligence Centre (IIC), Strategic Directorate, Defence Intelligence Staff Division, was promoted as Head of the Directorate's Training Division.

She was among 27 senior officers from the Army to be promoted to the various ranks including from Major to Lt Colonel and from Brigadier General to Major General.

Two women in the Royal Medical Corps had been promoted to Brigadier Generals previously, namely Brig Gen Datuk Dr Roshidah Ishak and Brig Gen Dr T. Thavachelvi S. Thangaraja.

Army Chief General Datuk Seri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said Norhuda was eligible to be promoted to Brigadier General because she had fulfilled the criteria stipulated, and made it a special day for the army.

He disclosed this to reporters after the donning of the ranks for Senior Army Officers at the Wisma Transit, here Wednesday.

Zulkifeli said the army would consider promoting other women officers if there were vacancies available as there were now many women of calibre in the force.

However, he said that among the elements considered for promotion, regardless of gender, were a good track record, experience and intellectual quality. Meanwhile, Norhuda, when approached by reporters, said she was thankful and happy over the promotion after having gone through various obstacles and difficulties while serving in the army.

However, she was sad that her late father, who had always given her inspiration and truly wanted to see her donning the general's epaulette was not around to see her achievement. - Bernama