DAP's Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh has called on newly minted premier Ismail Sabri Yaakob to consider selecting Azalina Othman Said as home minister.
Yeoh said it's about time a woman was given the job.
"I am very hopeful after I saw the resignation of Azalina (above) and I'll tell you why. During our time in Putrajaya, we all knew that (former energy, science, technology, environment and climate change minister) Yeo Bee Yin took on the role of three men.
"I feel that right now, since Azalina is no longer a deputy speaker, she can be a frontrunner in being picked for important ministries," said Yeoh in an interview with Astro Awani that she also shared on her Twitter.
The former deputy women, family and community development minister said many issues affecting women are at the hands of ministries helmed by men.
"A lot of the time we look at the Home Ministry as a very powerful position given to senior men in any political party but there are a lot of issues concerning citizenship, marriages and divorces and all of these are parked under the National Registration Department.
"Stateless children too; these are core issues that must be tackled. Unfortunately, we have not seen any home minister dealing with these issues, so I feel it would be good for the prime minister to pick Azalina as the new home minister, and if they can't then maybe law minister or women's minister, preferably all three," she added in a ringing endorsement of Azalina's capabilities.
Pengerang MP Azalina had earlier this week confirmed her resignation as the Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker in hopes her decision would spur a “reset” of the upcoming Parliament sitting.
Her resignation follows the installation of a new government under Ismail Sabri, who is also the Umno vice-president.
Yeoh said that Azalina's track record shows that she is the right person for the job.
"As a deputy speaker she is very consultative, and her track record shows she has engaged the opposition.
"She looked into prison reforms, and even the select committee for women she included us into those discussions," Yeoh added.
Earlier, Harapan's women's wing issued a statement to say that the Home Ministry should be run by a woman and urged Ismail Sabri to establish a ministry for children.
It said that this would be in line with the concept of a 'Malaysian family'.
"Wanita Harapan urges the ninth prime minister to give a commitment to all citizens to set up a new ministry, namely the children ministry so that the rights and voices of children across the country are not overwhelmed by other issues usually brought to the negotiating table in cabinet meetings.
"In the same breath, Wanita Harapan would also like to suggest that a woman be appointed to shoulder the duties and responsibilities of leading the Home Ministry in an unprecedented move," read the statement.
Wanita Harapan said the prime minister's attention should not be just focused on the voice of the people who have the right to vote but must also be on children's voices.
"We call on the prime minister to give importance to our voice to ensure the welfare, protection and rights of children continue to be protected in this pandemic," it added. - Mkini
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