Mavis was sacked from her post as Assistant Director (Administration) at the Social Welfare Department. The Minister for Labour and Law, Mr. K.M Byrne, said “her appointment became temporary when she married.”
“At that time it was the ruling that once a woman married she lost her status on the permanent establishment and became a temporary officer. But apart from this change of status nothing else mattered and she could still be promoted. However, K.M.Byrne who hated James was appointed Minister of
Labour and Social Welfare in the PAP government and immediately sacked me stating that as I was a temporary officer, he did not give reasons for my sacking. I appealed to the Yang Di-Pertuan Negara and was reinstated but transferred to the Ministry of Education.
He added that, “Her engagement has been terminated with one month’s notice from September 1 and no reason is being given.”
