Najib said this could happen if the government received a strong mandate in the coming election.
He said more women participating in politics would better reflect the electorate and make the political process more inclusive, hence strengthening democracy.
“If we get the necessary majority in this coming election, we could impose a quota for the upper house of no less than 30% of women senators, to begin with.
“I would like to see this proposal go through. That is why I hope we get a strong mandate this election.
“We can start with women to be appointed as senators and this could ensure leadership skills in the upper house,” he said at the Women in Politics Kuala Lumpur 2017 international conference here today.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
Najib paid tribute to Wanita Umno, saying that Umno itself has long relied on its women’s wing for maintaining grassroots relationships, particularly in the rural areas.
“That is why Wanita Umno is known as the backbone of our party,” he said.
Najib further stated that Malaysia has a strong track record when it comes to women’s rights.
“I am delighted to state that in the public sector, women now fill 35% of top management posts.
“In fact, if the police and military services are excluded, women officers will make up the majority of the civil service, at 57.5%.
“So we are heading in the right direction. But we want to go further, especially at the higher levels,” he said.
Najib reiterated the 30% requirement for the boards of directors of government-linked companies (GLCs), government-linked investment companies (GLICs) and statutory bodies to be made up of women by the end of 2018.
The conference has participants from 18 countries, representing 27 political parties and four international organisations.