Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail charted another first today by becoming the first woman to chair the cabinet meeting.

Wan Azizah is the first woman to assume the position of deputy prime minister.

She chaired the meeting today as Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is in New York for the UN General Assembly.

Cabinet meetings are held every Wednesday, except when the Dewan Rakyat is in session.

After the cabinet meeting, Wan Azizah will fly to Hanoi to pay last respects to late Vietnamese president Tran Dai Quang on behalf of the Malaysian government. 

Quang died last Friday and the state funeral is set to take place tomorrow.