Womens quota is setback in race for talent, says Rafidah Aziz
Among one of the most well-known and hard-nosed trade negotiator in the world at one time, the 67-year-old who served as trade minister for 21 long years, from 1987 to 2008, told The Malaysian Insider she had never been a fan of any form of quotas, especially gender quotas.
In her view, the latest quota is counter-productive for two main reasons. Firstly, it is open to abuse by companies to simply appoint anyone to fill the slots; and secondly, the move will limit the talents available to boost the nations performance in the long run.
Are we talking about Malaysia competing with the world or what? Im talking about Malaysia competing with the best in the world, said the fast-talking, no-nonsense Kuala Kangsar MP when contacted today.
Rafidah (picture), whose finesse in economic matters won her respect if sometimes grudgingly so from her peers worldwide and the moniker Iron Lady, suggested the government-imposed policy was regressive to the nations development, especially as it was gearing up to become a high-income nation within the next nine years.
Its not right. Both the public and private sectors must employ the best there is... we need capable people, regardless of gender.
To me, numbers no longer matter. It is up to the individuals themselves. This is 2011. Im surprised [at the federal governments decision]. You know how many capable and talented women there are out there? she asked, before adding Many!
She said that any woman would be proud to celebrate her high position in the corporate boardroom because she had won it on her own merits and not because of her gende! r.
Speaking as a woman... if that person is a woman, Id be so unhappy if an individual is chosen just because she is a woman and not because she is capable and has the capacity to contribute to development, she said.
Rafidah was one of the longest-serving Cabinet ministers in the ruling Barisan Nasional government until she was dropped from the Abdullah administration three years ago despite retaining her seat in the bruising Election 2008 when other ministers had lost theirs.
Malaysia fell six slots from 10th to 16th in a closely-watched international ranking of economic competitiveness despite recent government assurances that it was winning the fight against graft while improving accountability and transparency.
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