Widows who previously had to relinquish their pension rights after remarrying will now be able to claim it, according to the proposed budget revealed by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Parliament.

"However, it is hoped that not many will take young wives and leave their old ones just because there is this an allocation now," said Mahathir, who is also the finance minister.

The premier said these were the government's commitment to women and proposed an amount of RM59 million to fund programmes to enhance their quality of life.

As a way of eliminating gender differences in all fields, it is meant for rural women and entrepreneurs as well, added Mahathir.

Mahathir said the government valued women's role in economic development and this was seen in the setting-up of the Women and Family Development Ministry in February this year, the first since independence.

With the setting up of this ministry, women's issues and specific problems, including those of children will be dealt with more efficiently, he said.

Laws for women

He added that amendments to Article 8(2) of the Constitution by adding the word 'gender' was to ensure non-discriminatory laws and policies for women.

"The ministry also launched an anti-violence campaign on July 23 with the purpose of eradicating violence against women," said Mahathir.

Mahathir said the female labour force participation rate stood at 44.5 percent, far lower than 60 percent in other countries.

He reminded the House that 60 percent of the country's population was Muslim, half of them women.

"If women were not allowed to contribute to the development of Islam, the Muslim workforce will decrease by 30 percent. They are weak, they will be weaker still," he said.

Meanwhile, at the Parliament lobby, Women and Family Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said this year's budget was 'woman friendly'.

Shahrizat said all women will benefit, whether they were in the private sector or civil service.

She applauded the government's move to allow widows to claim their pension despite remarrying, saying that it was a 'milestone' and a major breakthrough for women.