Malaysia: Ministry wants 30% female quota for next GE

KUALA LUMPUR: The women, family and community development ministry wants political parties to be more serious in setting a quota of at least 30% for female candidates in the next general election.

Its deputy minister, Azizah Mohd Dun said this was because the percentage of female candidates in general elections in the country was still low as compared to other countries such as Singapore and the Philippines.

However, she said on the whole, there were encouraging signs during the 13th General Election (GE) where the number of female candidates increased to 168, compared to 120 during the 12th GE.

“The number of seats won by women also increased to 81, as compared to 63 seats at the 12th GE,” said Azizah when replying to Senator Noriah Mahat’s question during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara today.

Noriah wished to know what the government’s long and short-term plans were to increase the role of women in politics in the country.

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/