KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — The number of women who are MPs, assemblymen and ministers in Malaysia is still low, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.
She said it is time for Malaysia to take more decisive and proactive steps to ensure women have their rightful positions, especially in politics.
“With greater participation of women in politics, Malaysia will benefit from more inclusive and balanced leadership.
“However, waiting to achieve the goal of at least 30 per cent female representation in political party leadership seems to be a slow process,” she said, speaking to reporters after attending a forum themed “Political Participation in Malaysia: Towards Equal Access for Women to Political Mandates in Parliament and State Assemblies” at the German Embassy here today.
Also present was German Ambassador to Malaysia Peter Blomeyer.
Teo suggested political parties field at least 30 per cent female candidates or create seats exclusively for women.
“If we implement electoral reforms, I am confident we can achieve this goal more quickly and efficiently. It is not an impossible task and can certainly be accomplished in this country,” she said, adding that this approach has proven successful in other countries.
— Bernama
