She said “someone who is conversant and familiar with the issues at hand” should be in charge of the portfolio, suggesting names such as Hannah Yeoh (newly-elected MP for Segambut), Teoh Nie Ching (Kulai), Teresa Kok (Seputeh) and Elizabeth Wong (assembly member for Bukit Lanjan, Selangor).
This morning, prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad named Wan Azizah to be women’s affairs minister in addition to her duties as deputy prime minister, while he named himself to take on the education portfolio.
Ho, a former president of the All Women’s Action Society (Awam) questioned the appointments.
“We (NGOs) have been pushing for ministers to not hold more than one portfolio. Why are they doing this now? It isn’t whether they are capable, but if you already hold one portfolio, you should consider a younger candidate to take on a ministerial post.”
She said the women’s affairs minister must hold meetings within the next two months on various issues, such as restoring the financial and economic independence of Malaysian women, especially those in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak.
“Even in Peninsular Malaysia, many single mothers are unable to sustain themselves, and live in pathetic conditions because they are the main income-earners of the household.
Even married women had taken to become drivers for e-hailing services such as Grab, she said.
She also questioned whether Pakatan Harapan could meet its target of having women in 30% of major positions of office.
“From what I heard, the Selangor state government doesn’t have many women and the Penang state government only has one. How is PH going to champion women’s issues at the federal level if women are not even noticeable at state government appointments?”
During the general election campaign, Pakatan Harapan promised to provide support for working mothers and homemakers, mandatory Employees Provident Fund contribution for homemakers, with RM50 contributed to each housewife as a sign of appreciation and 2% of the husband’s EPF contribution to be channelled to the wives.