KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 3): Corporate companies have been urged to ensure that at least 30% of their decision-makers are women, as the percentage is still low compared to the public sector.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the percentage of women representation in decision-making positions in the public sector had exceeded the target at 38%.

"In the corporate sector, it (the target) has not been achieved. That is not within our control, but we keep advocating it. That is why we work with non-governmental organisations to make sure that the pressure is felt by the corporate sector, which will push them to achieve it.

"It is to give women the opportunity…if they find it difficult to find qualified women [to fill the positions], the WLF (Women Leadership Foundation) has the data of women in Malaysia who have the necessary qualifications," she said at a media conference held in conjunction with the Breakfast Conversations with Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri programme here on Friday (Feb 3).

Meanwhile, WLF chairman Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim said last year that only 22% of decision-makers in public listed companies were women, adding that the 30% target should be made a policy to ensure companies will strive to achieve it.

"I believe that if it is made a policy by the government, we will move quickly to achieve that 30% target and more if we want,” she said, adding that various studies had shown that appointing women to decision-making positions could increase company profits.

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