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.