INTERVIEW | Slightly over two decades ago, Zuraida Kamaruddin was a career person specialising in consumer behaviour for big multinational brands without any political exposure.

Through fortuity and grit, she became involved in the nascent stage of PKR before eventually becoming a minister and is now regarded as one of the most powerful women in the country.

When asked what her message was to aspiring female leaders, Zuraida told Malaysiakini during a recent interview that her pathway was unconventional, but can be emulated.

"I made and created the path. Now I want to make it easier for women," the housing and local government minister said. 

Women, she explained, had to create their own opportunities in order to...