(May 19): Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim today denied that the government practised gender discrimination when hiring, pointing to the “many women ministers and MPs” in Parliament as proof.

He told the Dewan Rakyat today during question time that men and women were hired and promoted into the civil service based on merit and the needs of the public service.

“Hiring is not based on gender. The secretary-generals of the Health Ministry, the Science Ministry, Miti (Trade and Industry Ministry) are women, there are women ministers. There are many women MPs.

“What is happening before our eyes shows that that factor (gender) is not taken into account in promotions,” said Shahidan.

However, only 24 out of the total 222 parliamentarians in Malaysia are women, putting women’s representation in the lower house at only 10.8%.

There are also only two female Cabinet ministers: law minister Nancy Shukri and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim.

Shahidan also denied Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul’s claim that civil servants were passed over for promotion because of different political beliefs.

“There are many political masters, like in Selangor, they are your people, Penang, Kelantan (too).

“So does it happen in Selangor or Penang or Kelantan? Of course your answer is no, so our answer is an even bigger no. It is impossible for this to happen,” said Shahidan, who is Arau MP.

“They are promoted based on merit and promotion. If this exists, you must inform me so that appropriate action can be taken.” – The Malaysian Insider