Jo-Anna Sue Henley Rampas is a young politician from Sabah. She holds a law degree from the University of London and completed a Master of Laws from the University of the West of England.
Throughout her career, Jo-Anna has held several political positions, including serving as the Deputy Head of Wirawati of Parti Warisan Sabah and as the former Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of Sabah, YB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Shafie Apdal between 2018-2020.
Additionally, she has been actively involved in welfare and community programs in empowering interior locals of Sabah, women and youth. As a young Sabahan, Jo-Anna has been actively advocating for the implementation of Sabahans’ rights as per the Malaysian Constitution and the Malaysian Agreement 1963, which were integral to the establishment of The Federation of Malaysia in 1963.
Jo-Anna has also expressed a strong stance on the urgent requirement for the improvement of Sabah’s fundamental infrastructure and development. This is necessary to bridge the developmental disparity between Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia, which are equal partners in the Formation of Malaysia. Jo-Anna assumed the position of Chairperson for the Sabah State Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan in 2019-2020, which is a highly esteemed cultural event within the Kadazan Dusun community residing in Sabah.
Despite her Anglo-Dusun heritage, Jo-Anna is an unwavering supporter of safeguarding the identity and cultural heritage of this ethnic group, as well as ensuring the preservation of their language for generations to come. In 2021, Jo-Anna has been actively engaged with the Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group in drawing attention to crucial matters that warrant the attention of voters, including corruption, the need for good governance, the underrepresentation of women and youth in politics and state elections.
Amidst the 2020-2021 Movement Control Order, Jo-Anna has come to appreciate the significance of quality early childhood education in her capacity as a new mother. Jo-Anna has demonstrated a profound interest in the significance of Early Childhood Education to the extent that she has enrolled in a part-time Diploma program in the field. Given that Sabah is the second most economically disadvantaged state in Malaysia, Jo-Anna espouses the view that education represents a crucial means of breaking the cycle of poverty. Specifically, she believes that early childhood education interventions can have a profound and enduring impact on a child’s life trajectory, ultimately enabling them to make meaningful contributions to society.
With her diverse background and experience, Jo-Anna strives towards having a deep understanding of the needs of her community and having a clear vision for the future of Sabah.
