Support from all parties needed to reach target of 30% women on company boards, says Siti Zailah

PETALING JAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry requires the support of all parties to ensure that the target of 30% of women on the boards of companies will be achieved, says Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff.

The Deputy Minister said currently, the percentage of women in decision-making positions in the private sector was only 25.8%.

“It is not just the responsibility of the ministry (to reach the 30% target) but we also need the support of all parties - the employers, agencies and all leadership to achieve this,” she said when replying to a question by Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PN - Setiu) in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (March 9).

Siti Zailah said they have taken the initiative to request for the list of companies on the Bursa Malaysia from the Securities Commission (SC) to ensure that these listed companies have at least one woman on its board.

“The SC has also taken the approach for all companies that have a market capitalisation of about RM2mil by Dec 31, 2021, have to implement this requirement,” she said.

Siti Zailah said the ministry would also regularly monitor listed companies through the SC in terms of changes on the board of directors, appointed individuals and submission of governance reports.

“With this, we will continue the partnership to support the implementation of the requirement of at least one woman director to achieve the 30% target in the private sector,” she said.