Change mindset on women leaders

THE appointment of Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yusoff as director-general of Jakim (Islamic Development Department ) on March 21 is a pleasant surprise. Being chosen as the first woman to lead a department that is close to the hearts of many Muslim Malaysians is certainly worth commemorating.

But browsing through the public comments on Facebook in response to her appointment, I was horrified to see so many Malaysian netizens (including women) venting their displeasure at the appointment despite Hakimah’s qualifications and 30 years of sterling service in the relevant fields. If a man was appointed Jakim’s DG, would such unkind remarks be levelled at him?