Choose speaker based on merit not gender

I REFER to the report “Who’s going to be Parliament Speaker?” (The Star, June 20). Several men have suggested that female Members of Parliament be appointed the Parliament Speaker. I believe the calls were made because of Pakatan Harapan’s promise to make the Cabinet comprise 30% women.

Narrowing down candidates for a specific job to women does not reflect the “30% club” aspiration. In fact, in this case, I hardly find it complimentary. It is perhaps due to guilt that more women are not being appointed into ministerial positions. It’s even more patronising to have men interviewed about whom they think is the best woman for the job!