KUCHING: Meet Fiffy Zahera Drahim, 24, from Kampung Semerah Padi, the only female from Sarawak among 17 officers-in-training, with the rank of Acting Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).
There are a total of 101 officers-in-training onboard the two RMN training vessels, the KD Teguh Samudera and KD Gagah Samudera.
In an interview with several media groups at the Pending Port yesterday, Zahera said that being in the navy was a choice she made.
“I started off as a cadet officer during my time in the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) in 2013. Then in March this year, I was commissioned the rank of Acting Sub Lieutenant,” she said.
“Before being certified as officially fit to serve, we must undergo sea training by the RMN. Currently, I am stationed at the department of electrical and electronic in the training vessels,” she added.
Before Kuching, the RMN trainees had visited several places such as Thailand and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
“I encourage women to get enlisted in the navy and forget the stereotype that the military is only for boys.
“I like to challenge myself and change the viewpoints of others that jobs like this aren’t suitable for women.
“The training is tough but I want to prove to myself that I am capable of being here,” she said.
Zahera also said although women are the minority, there’s no concern about gender inequalities.
“Even though men comprise the majority in the navy, I never see that as a disadvantage. It’s not an issue for women who are willing to serve the country,” she said.
“Socially, there is no discrimination. Here in the navy, we are trained to handle the situation,” she pointed out.
The youngest of three sisters, Zahera said that she’s the only person in the family to join the RMN.
“It has been my dream to join the RMN and my family fully supports me,” she said.
