Women-in-Cabinet quota in due time: Wan Azizah

DATUK Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (pix) says the proposal to have women making up 30% of the Cabinet is a target and there is no insistence that the quota must be implemented, as capability is also a very important factor to consider in the choice of ministers.
In an interview with Sin Chew Daily published today, Malaysia's first woman deputy prime minister said she is all for the proposal, adding that women should be included in all decision-making levels in the government.
All laws and policies should also be gender-sensitive, she added.
Asked if the new Cabinet would have 30% women, Wan Azizah said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is still considering candidates for the rest of his line-up, will take the proposal into consideration.
"Mahathir said (we have to) give him some time. After all, this is the first time that there is a change in the federal government in 61 years although he had been the prime minister before."
She pointed out that under the current situation, the priority is to choose capable people who can do the job well although gender is one of the many criteria.
She said apart from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry which has more female officials, other ministries also have women who hold sway.
Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) has recently called on the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government to fulfil its election promise of minimum 30% representation at the highest policy-making body in Malaysia.
On the previous Barisan Nasional government's declaration that to empower women it would ensure 30% women on the boards of GLCs, GLICs and statutory bodies, Wan Azizah said that will be the PH government's target but not a "fixed quota" for now.
She also said the government will implement various schemes to encourage women to return to the job market.