‘More women senators should BN win’
Najib: Their presence would make the political process more inclusive
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Negara could see an increase of women senators should the Government get a strong mandate in the next general election.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak proposed that a 30% quota for women senators could be imposed on the Senate.
“I would love to see this proposal go through. That is why I hope we get a strong mandate in the next election.
“We can start by appointing women as senators and they can show their leadership skills in the Upper House (Senate),” said Najib at the international conference on Women in Politics 2017 yesterday.
The conference, themed “Women and Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0): Leadership and Substantive Equality” was held in conjunction with the upcoming Umno General Assembly.
Those also present included Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim and Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
Najib said the Government would like to see greater participation of women in politics as their presence would better reflect the electorate and make the political process more inclusive, strengthening democracy.
“Umno itself has long relied on its women’s wing for maintaining grassroots relationships, particularly in the rural areas, and that is why Wanita Umno is known as the backbone of our party,” he said.
Najib said Malaysia was thankful for the “support, encouragement and leadership” shown by women.
The Government, he said, has always recognised the pivotal role played by women, both in advancing national development and in nurturing future generations.
Under the 11th Malaysia Plan, Najib said the Government had set out initiatives to increase women’s participation in the labour force to 59% by the year 2020.
“I’m glad to say that since this Government took office in 2009, women have already made great strides, he said.
“Over that period, the female labour force participation rate has increased from 46% to 54.3% last year, which is over 700,000 more women in the workforce.
“This means we are on track to achieve our target,” he added.
Najib also said the Government has made great efforts in ensuring a “strong track record” when it comes to women’s rights.
He noted that women now take up 35% of top management posts in the public sector.
“In fact, I am told that if the police and military services are excluded, women officers make up the majority of the civil service, at 57.5%. So we are heading in the right direction. But we want to go further, especially at higher levels,” he said.
Najib urged more women to become entrepreneurs especially in line with IR 4.0, adding that technology had made the playing field much more level for women.
Later, Shahrizat said that Najib’s proposal to impose the 30% quota may be part of Barisan’s manifesto “if and should” they “win big”.
“God willing, we will win big and we can make amendments to the Federal Constitution to impose the 30% quota on the Upper House,” she said.
Shahrizat said she was confident that there were enough women leaders capable to be appointed as senators, if the opportunity was presented. She also said that Najib’s announcement was a recognition of the efforts and sacrifices of Barisan’s women wings.
“This may be a historic day if it becomes a reality,” she added.
Later, closing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also dropped hints that Barisan would field more women candidates in the elections, which would be called “very soon”.
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