Conflicting role models in KL

Conflicting role models in KL

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Young women in Malaysia have a host of new role models.

Shahrizat Jalil, promoted to women's affairs minister on Wednesday, was the latest in a string women taking over top jobs. But her appointment comes at a time when Islamic conservatism changes the way many ordinary Muslim women here act and dress.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad promoted Shahrizat to his Cabinet in a move which analysts said was aimed at wooing women voters back from Islamic opposition parties.

Last month, he appointed Ainum Mohamed Saaid as the country's first woman attorney general. Malaysia's solicitor general and central bank governor are also women.