The Bar Council has welcomed the federal government's decision to withdraw an appeal against a court decision that pregnancy as a reason not to employ a woman is a form of gender discrimination.

However, Bar Council president Christopher Leong pointed out that Malaysia was still a long way from eradicating gender discrimination and proposed that new anti-discrimination laws be enacted.

"Apart from the amendment to the federal constitution, which was made in 2001, the government has not passed any specific legislation to prohibit gender discrimination," said Leong.

Leong recommended that enacting specific anti-gender discrimination legislation is needed to promote and protect gender equality in Malaysia.

The federal government is also urged to consider addressing other concerns expressed by the UN's Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women's (Cedaw) in a report in 2006.

"Many of those concerns remain outstanding, notwithstanding the passage of seven years," he said.

Hence, said Leong, although withdrawing the appeal is in the right direction, the journey towards realising true gender equality remains "long and unfinished".

NONE Leong was commenting on the case of Norfadilla Ahmad Saikin (left) who was offered placement as an untrained relief teacher (GSTT) but was revoked almost immediately in January 2009 when Hulu Langat district education officers found out that she was pregnant.

In a landmark decision in July 2011, the Shah Alam High Court held that her dismissal was unlawful , and that the United Nations' Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw) is binding to Malaysia.

The government has initially appealed against the decision, but later announced its decision to withdraw the appeal when the matter came up at the appellate court on Thursday.