KUALA LUMPUR – Leaders from various political parties today were all on the same page in their commitment to fielding 30% of women candidates in elections, thus increasing female representation in the country’s legislative bodies.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the party will field more female candidates in the 15th general election (GE15) compared to GE14.
“I am the one signing the party election candidate authorisation letters, and I guarantee that should both the men and women candidates have similar criteria, I will choose women,” he said when appearing as a panellist at a forum on women’s leadership in politics.
The cross-party forum held for the first time was organised by the National Council of Women's Organisations (NCWO) and officiated by the Women, Family and Community Development Minister and Bersatu Women’s head Datuk Seri Rina Harun.
Meanwhile, another panellist, Bersatu Women’s number two Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, said Bersatu of late was more open to giving more opportunities for women to become election candidates.
“In Bersatu itself, 60% of its members are from the Women’s wing. There are so many women (members), we will fight for the leadership to make room for more female candidates in this GE15,” she said.
Fellow panellist, Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said BN is leading the way in empowering women in politics and decision-making.
“If we look around today, Rina and Mas themselves began in Umno, we are serious about empowering women, maybe one day, we can turn the 30% women requirement into legislation,” he said.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, who was also a panel member, said the party would make sure any amendments done to the party constitution will not sideline women.
“We have received a proposal to increase the number of vice presidents and if membership increases, I guarantee that if there is an amendment, the fourth vice-president of the party will be a woman,” he said.
Since independence was achieved 65 years ago, the number of female leaders in the legislative body has never exceeded 15%, with the highest being 14.86% in the Dewan Rakyat, 11.42% in the senate and 11.57% in state legislative assemblies. – Bernama, October 5, 2022
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