COUNCIL of Malaysian Women Political Leaders (Comwel) president Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin lauded the Government’s decision to appoint a woman to head the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).
“The appointment shows that women are capable to lead on issues pertaining to religion, stand firm against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LBGT) and deal with halal certification,” she said in a statement.
Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali announced that JAKIM’s deputy director (policy) Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yusoff has been promoted to become the religious agency’s director-general.
The new appointment takes effect on Monday (March 21).
“This is historic as this will be the first time in JAKIM’s 30 years history where it will be headed by a woman, which will increase their participation in decision-making process involving public policies.
“And I hope Hakimah’s appointment will strengthen JAKIM’s role as the federal Islamic affairs and become competitive in the global arena,” Berita Harian reported Zuki as saying.
Congratulating Hakimah on her new role, Zuraida said that the decision clearly showed that the Government was committed to ensure gender equality in the administration.
“As JAKIM plays an important role when it comes to Islamic issues, Comwel hopes Hakimah will enact good policies that are in line with gender equality.
“Bear in mind that gender equality is an Islamic value as stipulated in the Al-Quran. It will enhance women’s position in our society too,” the minister remarked. – March 19, 2022
