PETALING JAYA: The debate on the 30% quota for women’s political representation has gone on long enough. What is needed is a strong pipeline to produce many capable female leaders, say women politicians across party lines.
The country “cannot afford to wait” for women to naturally rise in a political system that has long excluded them, they say.
Although on different sides, they all agree that 30% should be the minimum benchmark, not the goal.
Umno supreme council member Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said it was disappointing that the 30% quota introduced in 2004 was still being discussed two decades later.
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The former Women, Family and Community Development Minister said that during her tenure, the Constitution was amended to include “gender” in Article 8(2), enabling gender discrimination audits in laws.
She pushed for the 30% quota policy in politics and lobbied for 30% female representation in the Dewan Negara and also election candidates lists.
“We need to now focus on building a strong pipeline of capable women leaders,” she said, adding that Umno must identify, train, and provide opportunities for women beyond welfare roles.
Women must also be placed in winnable seats, she said.
“It is also not enough for women to simply hold a position – they must be seen, heard and felt by the community,” said Shahrizat.
Wanita MCA secretary-general Chan Quin Er said women’s representation in Parliament has never exceeded 15%, calling it a “structural stall”. Currently, it stands at 13.5%.
“The challenge remains translating internal influence into elected seats. Women still face scrutiny on things men simply do not, including appearance, family life, and temperament.
“Capability alone does not open doors.
“Women who build trust across community leaders, party seniors, and coalition partners are far more likely to secure winnable seats. Navigating this itself is a valuable skill,” said Chan.
Muda president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, the only woman currently leading a political party in Malaysia, said the barriers against women are deeply systemic.
“Political parties often prioritise ‘safe’ familiar candidates, campaign financing networks are male-dominated, and caregiving responsibilities still disproportionately fall on women.
“Women in politics face attacks that male politicians rarely experience, especially gendered harassment and character assassination.
“Women should not need to possess ‘superhuman qualities’ just to deserve representation.
“Muda does not have women’s wings. Historically, women’s wings cause women to grow only within the wing and not beyond.
“We field women candidates in winnable seats, we also fielded 53% women candidates during the 2023 six states’ elections.
“The real barriers women face in politics are financial limitations, cyberbullying, sexist attacks, safety concerns and the burden of caregiving responsibilities.
“We need an ecosystem where women can survive and thrive in politics without having to become ‘less of a woman’ to be taken seriously,” said Amira.
PAS Dewan Muslimat chief Senator Nuridah Mohd Salleh said women in PAS now enjoy greater opportunities compared to the 1990s.
PAS currently has five female MPs, seven state assemblywomen and one senator, reflecting growing acceptance of women leaders.
“Female candidates should have strong educational backgrounds, integrity, communication skills and the ability to inspire communities,” said Nuridah.
DAP Wanita chief and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said DAP intends to “walk the talk”.
“Party secretary-general Anthony Loke made a commitment last year to field 30% female candidates in the next general election.
“But we should not confine ourselves to 30%,” said Teo.
Former Kedah executive councillor Datuk Suraya Yaacob said Wanita Umno aims to strengthen women’s participation in leadership and decision-making at division and state levels.
Suraya acknowledged that Barisan previously fielded only about 11% to 12% women as parliamentary candidates, but said there were encouraging signs in Sabah where women performed relatively well.
