KENINGAU: Shirley Vincent Marukau has been appointed as Native Chief (Ketua Anak Negeri) in Bingkor, marking a continued effort to strengthen women’s participation in Sabah’s traditional leadership institutions.
Shirley’s appointment is seen as part of broader efforts to enhance inclusivity in community leadership, particularly in traditional institutions that play an important role in preserving cultural identity and promoting social harmony at the grassroots level.
A community leader in Bingkor described her appointment as a positive step, noting that leadership is defined by experience, commitment and the ability to serve the community effectively, rather than gender.
Shirley is actively involved in community and cultural development work. She currently serves as Third Vice President of the Murut Nabai Sabah Association (PEMNS) and Assistant Treasurer of the Sabah Native School Association (SAANS) ‘Adu Dabaai’ Keningau.
She also holds a Basic Teaching Certificate from SAANS, which has provided her with grounding in customary practices, cultural values and local traditional knowledge systems.
Her experience in community organisations and cultural preservation initiatives is seen as a strong foundation for her role as Native Chief.
Her appointment was formalised by Bingkor assemblyman and Sabah Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Sr. Mohd Ishak Ayub during a recent ceremony to present appointment letters to Native Chiefs, Assistant Native Chiefs and Village Heads.
Also receiving appointments as Native Chiefs were Juberin Sugari and Japrin Tunjan, while several Assistant Native Chiefs and Village Heads were appointed to serve their respective areas.
