KUCHING – The Sarawak Government has officially welcomed Datu Felicia Tan Ya Hua as the new Deputy Secretary (Administration), marking a significant transition in the state’s public service leadership.
Her appointment follows the retirement of Datu Buckland Bangik, who concluded his career after serving the Sarawak Government for 37 years.
The handover ceremony took place at Wisma Bapa Malaysia and was witnessed by Sarawak Government Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.
In his address, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar expressed gratitude to Datu Buckland for his long-standing contributions, describing him as a dedicated leader whose expertise had greatly benefited the administration.
He emphasised that Datu Buckland’s knowledge would continue to support the collective work of the state’s civil service even after his retirement.
Reflecting on Datu Felicia’s career, Datuk Amar highlighted her journey, beginning as an Administrative Officer in Sibu in 1993.
She later served in districts such as Sarikei and Sri Aman, before advancing to senior roles including Assistant District Officer, District Officer, Divisional Resident and Director.
Her extensive experience at both grassroots and state levels was noted as a strong foundation for her new responsibilities.
He further stressed that merit, professionalism and teamwork remain the guiding principles of the Sarawak Government Service.
The growing presence of women in senior positions, he added, demonstrated the inclusivity and impartiality of the system.
“Good performance will always be recognised. If your performance is good, there will always be opportunities regardless of whether you are male or female,” he said, urging senior officers to uphold unity and mutual respect.
During the ceremony, Datu Buckland expressed his appreciation to the government and colleagues for their trust and cooperation throughout his tenure.
He underscored the importance of collaboration in public service, remarking that while individual effort may be swift, teamwork ensures strength and longevity.
“I believe teamwork is very important. Whatever challenges we face, we can solve them together,” he said.
In her remarks, Datu Felicia acknowledged the significance of her appointment, particularly for women in Sarawak.
She thanked the government for its confidence in her leadership and pledged to carry out her duties with diligence.
She noted that her more than two decades of service at the grassroots level had prepared her to take on responsibilities at the state level.
Recognising the weight of the role, she appealed for guidance and cooperation from senior officers, department heads and colleagues to ensure that government policies and programmes are implemented effectively.
The ceremony was attended by several distinguished figures, including Sarawak Finance Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Sarawak Attorney General Dato Sri Saferi Ali, and Deputy Secretary to the Government (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee, alongside heads of departments and other officials.
Datu Felicia’s appointment is seen as a continuation of Sarawak’s commitment to nurturing capable leaders and promoting inclusivity within its administration.
