THE Pakatan Harapan government must make good on its promise to have a minimum of 30% of the cabinet represented by women, said a group of women’s rights advocates today.

In its manifesto, Buku Harapan, under the article “commitment to women No. 5”, PH pledged to increase the representation of women in the cabinet to 30%.

The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) said that while it welcomed the appointment of Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Rina Harun, and Zuraida Kamaruddin in the initial list of 14 cabinet members, it hoped the ruling coalition would not back down on its promise to Malaysians.

A petition launched by the group nine days ago “reminding” the government of its promises has garnered 6,400 signatures.

“We were surprised it reached 1,000 signatures within an hour,” said Angela M. Kuga Thas, executive director of Empower Malaysia, a member of JAG.

“The speed of the support was what actually surprised us. Of course, it is slow now because I think people are feeling a little discouraged by how women are being considered for the positions,” she said.

The group had gathered in front of Istana Negara, where the 14-member cabinet will be sworn in later today, to bring their demands to attention.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, JAG said female registered voters outnumbered men in the recent election on May 9, and women in PH had played a pivotal role leading to its success.

“We hear and laud your commitment to eliminate discrimination against women in your speech on the eve of the 14th general election,” the letter read.

“While we celebrate PH’s decision to make Wan Azizah Wan Ismail Malaysia’s first female deputy prime minister, her appointment alone is not enough,” JAG said in the open letter.

Zuraida was appointed housing and local government minister, while Bersatu’s Rina was named rural development minister.

Dr Mahathir said a remaining 15 to 20 more ministers would be appointed in the near future. – May 21, 2018.