Malaysia

Malaysia came in for particular praise at the ongoing 59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference here for instituting changes that allowed the participation of more women in the political process, at least within the Commonwealth grouping.

Commonwealth Sec-Gen Dr William Shija said it was affirmative action that indeed some political parties have put into the system to try to reach out to women candidate that have produced results.

Future Prime Minister of Malaysia. Mother. Wife. Friend. Daughter of the mercurial and charismatic Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Nurul Izzah is all these and more.

How she has grown up.  When she started out in politics, and started speaking publicly, she came off as shy.

We invite you to read the full article published September 3, 2013

Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) Women wing welcomes Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom’s suggestion that there should generally be 40 per cent women involvement in the positions of power.

SPDP Women deputy chief Teresa Udam said they supported the call by Mawan, who is also SPDP president for more women leaders and women representation in decision-making processes.

Kota Kinabalu: A senior woman lawyer is set to become the new State Attorney-General, succeeding Datuk Roderic Fernandez who retired at the end of last month.

We invite you to read the full article published July 8 2013 by The Daily Express

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak faces an uphill battle to select the most suitable women ministers to be part of his cabinet. Although the recent general election saw an increase in the number of female candidates standing, only a small number were voted in. Eleven ladies form part of Barisan Nasional's (BN) 133 MPs — a mere eight per cent in the coalition government — while observers are of the opinion that there should be at least 30 per cent in the cabinet.

IT’S mind-boggling. After more than 50 years since independence, and 13 general elections the percentage of women candidates being offered to the electorate has never broken through 10 per cent ceiling. At first like many, I welcomed the news that GE13 sees a 40 per cent increase of women candidates — up to 168 compared to the 120 fielded in the 2008 general election. It sounded like a big healthy number and was trumpeted as such by the news media.

A group of mothers want parties in the general election to give due regard to issues affecting women and families. Rallying as "Mama Bersih", the group presented their own manifesto on eight demands they want the political parties to adhere to. "We want politicians to listen to us and to endorse this ma