(The stage is set, the lights are dimmed, and our presenter, a witty and irreverent combination of Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans, takes the stage with a smirk)
Presenter: “Well, well, well, what do we have here? A Malaysian dynamo, Dr. Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, about to leave her mark on the world… again! (chuckles) I mean, the woman’s been running the Apec secretariat in Singapore for six years, and now she’s coming home to Malaysia to shake things up some more. You know, I’ve always said, if you want something done, ask a busy person, and Dr. Rebecca is the embodiment of that saying. Although, if I were her, I’d take a bloody nap first.”
(reads from the article) “She will come home in the third week of December to celebrate Christmas first. Her diary is almost full with events and invitations to give talks, not just in Malaysia, after her short holiday.” (sarcastically) Oh, a short holiday? Ah, I’m sure she’ll be lounging on a beach somewhere, sipping margaritas and getting a tan. No, wait, she’ll probably be attending more meetings and giving talks. (laughs)
“Now, Dr. Rebecca is excited to return as Malaysia takes over the Asean chairmanship in January. You know, I’ve heard Asean is like a party with 10 Southeast Asian nations trying to get along. (chuckles) All those differing opinions, it’s like a big debate club! Dr. Rebecca, being the voice of reason, will no doubt bring everyone together… or try to, at least.”
(reads from the article) ‘”Yes of course I am coming home to do what I can. With Malaysia hosting Asean, there is so much we can do. Asean is an opportunity, if we don’t take it it will be a missed opportunity to make Malaysians understand what Asean is all about,’ she says.” (smirks) Ah, they always sound so optimistic, don’t they? ‘So much we can do’, yeah, like put out fires, that’s what they’ll be doing.
“But seriously, folks, Dr. Rebecca has been doing some amazing work, especially in engaging with the youth and emphasizing the importance of understanding Asean. (smirks) I mean, it’s not exactly a sexy topic, but someone’s gotta do it. And if you’re gonna talk about Asean, you might as well have someone like Dr. Rebecca, who actually knows what she’s talking about, do it.”
(reads from the article) “She introduced flexible work arrangements to give autonomy to unit heads to manage their staff. Apec secretariat is an old building, so I refreshed it, including introducing a resource centre which is multifunctional in place of a digitalised library.” (laughs) Ah, now we’re talking! I mean, who doesn’t love a good resource centre? Sounds like the perfect spot to take a nap… I mean, get some work done.
“But in all seriousness, Dr. Rebecca’s work in Apec has not been without its challenges, especially with the Chilean protests and the pandemic. (pauses) However, that did lead to some rather… ‘interesting’ comments about virtual meetings. (smirks) I mean, ‘It was all new to us to have remote meetings, there were adjustments to be made.’ Ah, welcome to the 21st century, folks!
“The last time Malaysia chaired Asean was in 2015, and Dr. Rebecca was part of the team then. (smirks) I’m sure she was a lot more energetic back then, running around, trying to get everyone on the same page. Now, she’s the one leading the charge. (laughs) I mean, who needs a Formula One car when you have Dr. Rebecca on a mission?
“As for the recent Apec leaders meeting in Peru, Dr. Rebecca praises the Peruvian President, Dina Boluarte. (smirks) Ah, I’m sure it had nothing to do with the aesthetics of the conference room. (chuckles) Seriously, though, it’s not easy to get all those leaders in one room, so kudos to her.
“As Dr. Rebecca returns home, she’s bringing her expertise and skills with her. (smirks) Watch out, Malaysia, here comes the whirlwind! (laughs) All joking aside, Dr. Rebecca’s dedication to her work is admirable, and I’m sure she’ll continue to make a difference in Malaysia and beyond.
“Finally, when asked about her plans upon returning, Dr. Rebecca said she’d be rejoining the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs’ board of directors. (smirks) Ah, because one thing is certain: Dr. Rebecca will not be twiddling her thumbs anytime soon.”
(laughs) And that’s the story of Dr. Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, folks. Well, at least, that’s the story we’re sharing today. There’s no doubt, she’s a force to be reckoned with, and I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about her in the future.
November 27, 2024
KUALA LUMPUR – After a remarkable six-year tenure as the Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) secretariat in Singapore, Tan Sri Dr. Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria is set to return to Malaysia, bringing with her a wealth of experience and expertise in international trade and economic development.
Despite her hectic schedule, Dr. Rebecca remains energetic and committed to making a difference, as evident from her lively conversation over the phone, punctuated by back-to-back meetings and fresh from the Apec Economic Leaders Week in Peru. Her dedication to engaging with people and sharing her insights is unwavering, and she is always willing to speak her mind when necessary.
Dr. Rebecca’s homecoming is highly anticipated, particularly as Malaysia prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship in January. Her previous experience as the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s secretary-general during Malaysia’s last Asean chairmanship in 2015 has equipped her with valuable knowledge and expertise to contribute to the country’s efforts in promoting regional economic cooperation.
“I am excited to return to Malaysia and contribute to the country’s Asean chairmanship,” she exclaimed. “Asean is an opportunity that we must seize, and I am eager to work with various stakeholders to promote a better understanding of Asean among Malaysians.”
Dr. Rebecca’s passion for youth development and empowerment is well-known, and she is already receiving invitations to share her insights on Asean with young people. Her experience in engaging with youth during Malaysia’s previous Asean chairmanship has shown her the importance of promoting Asean awareness among the younger generation.
Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Rebecca has demonstrated exceptional leadership and organizational skills, which were essential in her role as Apec secretariat executive director. Her ability to balance competing perspectives and navigate complex diplomatic relationships has earned her the respect of her peers and counterparts.
One of her notable achievements during her tenure was introducing flexible work arrangements to support the well-being of Apec secretariat staff, many of whom have family commitments. She also oversaw the refurbishment of the secretariat’s premises, including the creation of a multifunctional resource center.
Dr. Rebecca’s experience in navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has also been invaluable. When Malaysia hosted Apec in 2020, she worked closely with the government to propose virtual meetings, which helped to ensure the continuity of Apec’s work despite the pandemic.
As she reflects on her time at Apec, Dr. Rebecca observes that countries like Vietnam are taking proactive steps to provide their young officials with international exposure, recognizing the importance of this experience in shaping their growth and development.
She also praises Peru, the recent host of the Apec leaders meeting, for its success in bringing together world leaders, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and promoting constructive dialogue and cooperation.
Despite her hectic schedule, Dr. Rebecca remains committed to staying informed about developments in Malaysia, particularly in the areas of trade and economy. She believes that the country is on the right track but needs to prioritize skills and human capital development to support the growth of industries.
“We need to ensure that our human capital is ready to support the needs of industries, particularly in the high-tech sector,” she emphasizes. “Penang’s success in attracting investments from high-tech industries is a good example of what can be achieved through close collaboration between the government, universities, and industry players.”
Upon her return to Malaysia, Dr. Rebecca will rejoin the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs’ board of directors, where she will continue to contribute to the country’s economic development and growth.
“I am eager to be more visible and contribute to making a difference in Malaysia,” she concludes. “If we can make a positive impact, why not?”
