KUALA LUMPUR: The policy of setting a 30 per cent quota for women in decision-making positions or as board members in companies can be detrimental if it is misused.
Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, who is a former International Trade and Industry Minister, said women decision makers should not be likened to "stuffings used to fill up a pillow."
She said many women are qualified to fill important positions, but the percentage limit hinders their potential from holding high positions.
"Those who advocate the 30 per cent quota idea have their own agenda because afterwards, they can appoint friends as members of the board in a company.
"If we look at skills, competency, ability, and so on, we do not need this quota. If a woman has the qualifications and experience, just appoint her.
"It is a loss for an organisation if it does not appoint a truly qualified woman as compared to choosing a man just because the company is lazy to find a qualified woman candidates to fill the vacancy," she told the 'Keluar Sekejap' podcast hosted by Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Sufian Hamdan.
Although the 30 per cent is only a baseline and the number can be increased, Rafidah said some companies still use it as an excuse not to appoint qualified women.
"For most people, the 30 per cent is not a baseline but something to be adhered to. Once that number is reached, they consider the quota fulfilled.
"They stick to that, even though there are still many suitable candidates.
"They should look around for talent and appoint them to the board, and they should not make it so difficult until the woman has to quit her job. Conduct head-hunting," she said.