By T.N. Alagesh

KUANTAN: Datuk Robiah Abdul Ghani may have created history yesterday, but the 55-year-old is under no illusions that she now bears a great responsibility.

Robiah became the first woman in Malaysian history to be a state police chief, taking over the reins of leadership of the Pahang police force from Datuk Ayob Mohamed.

While thankful that her bosses in Bukit Aman had shown such faith in her, she knows the appointment comes with a huge responsibility.

"I believe it's a sign of recognition for female officers in the police force.

"My appointment will motivate police personnel, especially the 9,000 or so women officers, to strive harder to be given due recognition to hold important positions in the force."
Robiah said the force had many women officers holding high positions, but added with a laugh: "Now, they (woman) can take me as a benchmark and emulate my success."

Robiah was federal deputy director of management before being posted as deputy Pahang police chief in June last year, which was also a first at the time.

She said her appointment was a reflection of the trust and confidence federal police leadership had in women officers.

She thanked the inspector-general of police, his deputy and all members of the force for their support and faith in her.

Asked what she would focus on as the new state police chief, Robiah said she would continue with programmes and strategies put in place by her predecessor to keep the crime rate under control.

"For this, I need the commitment and support of the force and the local community."

A mother of three children, aged between 23 and 28, she loves to play golf and go bowling during her free time. Her family was overjoyed with her appointment yesterday, she said.

"They are very happy, despite the fact that I have to shoulder more responsibility at work.

"But I will have enough time to spend with them," she said, adding that her youngest son had just graduated from an institution of higher learning and would soon join his siblings in the working world.

She said her family understood the duties of a police officer as her husband, Datuk Ibrahim Manaf, had also served the force and was the former Selangor deputy police chief. He retired in October 2006.