Press Statement by Chong Eng in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 18^th June 2009:

Datuk Halimah's appointment as first female Chairperson of Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board is another breaking of gender glass-ceiling

Wanita DAP welcomes and lauds the appointment of UMNO’s Tenggara MP Datuk Halimah Mohd Sadique as the Chairperson of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board as breaking of yet another gender glass ceiling. It is more than evidence that women have the ability, capacity and competency to hold important leadership and decision-making roles. We are encouraged that this is the first time a woman is appointed to the post and thus leveraging the playing field for men and women in this area.

There is no lack of capable women in Malaysia and if the Government has been actively promoting gender equality measures, we will be able to identify and raise more women leaders to top level decision-making positions and encourage more women to contribute their skills and talents to the society. The appointment of Datuk Halimah following two other appointments in Penang – the first female district officer and the first female local council Secretary – proved that Malaysia hopes to break more glass ceilings and to accelerate the elimination of discrimination against women.

The appointment of Datuk Halimah is apt and timely as she is a very experienced Member of Parliament. Being a female, she should be able to consider problems and issues faced by women with a certain understanding, especially in the area of public commercial transport services. The Government needs to understand the importance of gender and ethnic balance in public administration, by providing a female perspective; we will have a more stable and harmonious family and society.

I urge the new Board chairperson Datuk Halimah to be gender-sensitive in her administration. One proposal is to emulate the recommendation by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to provide incentives to attract more men to take up the teaching profession. For example, in the same manner, the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board should provide incentives by reserving 30% of the taxi proprietary license to women to encourage women to become taxi owners and drivers, to balance up the gender disparity among taxi proprietors as well as to provide customers with more choices between male and female drivers.

* Chong Eng, DAP Wanita Chairperson & MP for Bukit Mertajam