"Mama Yani" stands tall in a man's world

BY: Patrick Beech

Being a fireman is certainly not an easy task, let alone heading a whole fire department.

But for Sayani Saidon, 52, she has fought all odds and now holds the position of Perak Fire and Rescue Department chief.

She is the first woman in Malaysia to hold such a position and is set to ensure she excels in her responsibilities.

"Mama Yani" as she is fondly known is also a mother of three daughters aged between 17 and 26.

She said ensuring machinery and skill readiness and the welfare of all personnel are crucial to achieving the state department's mission and vision.

"We will continue improving our services to protect people's lives and property," she said.

The only daughter of five siblings said firefighters’ skills in the specialised field of rescue must also be strengthened because the state has one of the longest highway networks, involving the North-South Expressway.

“Despite the fact that the majority of my subordinates are male, with female firefighters making up less than 5% of the total (members) in the country, being a woman does not hinder my ability to lead,” she added.