The civil society groups under the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG), which include the Women’s Aid Organisation, Sisters In Islam and EMPOWER, said female representation in the Cabinet was only at 20%, and that it was critical that the minimum 30% representation be met.

“PH made this promise under Commitment to Women No.5, Buku Harapan, to promote and achieve gender equality in the country,” the group said in a statement.

“There is a sufficient number of qualified women MP candidates. All it takes is for their names to be put forward for the prime minister’s consideration.”

Representatives of the group also noted that the 14th general election saw women voters outnumber men in all but two states and one Federal Territory.

“Women gave their best to bring about a new dawn in Malaysia despite the low number of women candidates fielded for Parliament and state assembly. This is a testimony of women’s desire to see a change that will address their issues and concerns.”

They also said there must be greater female representation in decision-making, and that it would be “glaringly unjust” if women were overlooked in the formation of the new Cabinet.

They said while they welcomed PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s appointment as deputy prime minister, it wasn’t enough. They also provided a list of female MPs that should be considered for ministerial appointments, along with their credentials.

These include Nurul Izzah Anwar (Permatang Pauh), Hannah Yeoh (Segambut), Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan), Maria Chin Abdullah (Petaling Jaya), Teresa Kok (Seputeh, DAP), Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan), Teo Nie Ching (Kulai), Alice Lau (Lanang), Yeo Bee Yin (Bakri) and Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Kota Belud).