The latest to put her name in the history books is Rohana Jupri. She is the first woman in the navy’s 83-year history to be appointed captain.

She received her appointment at a ceremony at KD Sri Gombak from navy chief Admiral Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin yesterday.

The Star quoted Rohana, 54, who joined the Royal Malaysian Navy 33 years ago, as saying: “This is a proud moment for me and indeed a grand recognition from my superiors. I am thankful for this.”

The mother of four had even earlier scored a first when she became the first woman commanding officer at the Western Naval Supply Depot in Lumut, Perak, where she oversees food rations, fuel and other naval needs.

Saying any miscalculation in rationing could affect a mission, Rohana added that her skills in handling her own household matters had helped her in this.

Not one to rest on her laurels, Rohana now hopes to be the navy’s first woman admiral.

She told The Star: “I think both men and women can achieve anything if we put our minds to it. After all, we received the same training and ate the same rations. We just need to prove ourselves.”

Rohana hoped her promotion would inspire other women officers to believe in their capabilities and rise up the ranks.

Rohana, from Tanjung Karang, attributed her promotion to her husband Anuar Yahya’s support and navy chief Ahmad Kamarulzaman’s recognition of her competency and skill.

The report said Ahmad Kamarulzaman also promoted nine naval athletes who had won gold medals at the recent SEA Games.