Malaysia

Women’s inclusion in the present cabinet membership is at 6.7%; only two out of 30 ministers are females, a similar situation as in the previous cabinet.

Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER) is gravely concerned with the quality of the debate going on regarding a woman candidate for the Selangor Menteri Besar (MB) post.

Impossibly high moral standards are placed on Wan Azizah. We have heard from many quarters criticisms such as: she is Anwar Ibrahim’s wife and thus his puppet; that she purportedly has no clout; she is not competent enough; and that she does not have the “wow” factor. On this basis, critics have shunned her as a potential candidate for the MB’s post.

The recent upheaval in Selangor over the post of Menteri Besar (MB) has suddenly led the country to a situation where we might soon be witnessing a major breakthrough for women in politics.

Over the years we have seen women slowly occupy positions in the political arena. Data from the Ministry for Women, Family and Community Development shows that in 2013 women made up only 13.1% of local councillors, 28.8% of senators, 11.3% state legislative assembly members, 10.4% members of parliament and 12.3% of cabinet ministers and deputy ministers.

Women should get more involved in politics so that the voices of the fairer sex can be heard clearly.

Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower) programme officer Wong Kar Fai said the decision-making process should benefit both genders without any discrimination.

"Women's voices are very marginalised in this country," he said.

Currently, there are only 23 women members of parliament out of 222, which is about 10% when the ideal figure should be 30%.

Among the constitutional amendments passed in PKR Special National Congress on Nov 24 was to give more voice to women within the party.

PKR central leadership council member Latheefa Koya said the amendments were not something completely new within the party but were a move that had to be made in writing.

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.