SHAH ALAM, 12 Mar: The presence of Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail in Selangor’s politics will add to the number and voice of women in the decision making process at the highest level in the state.
The hope was voiced by the Assemblywoman of Batu Tiga, Rodziah Ismail, about Wan Azizah as the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) candidate who is scheduled to contest against the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, to fight for the Kajang State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seat in the by-election on 23 March.
“It is an exciting development for activists and they are aware of the need for women’s representation as elected representatives.
“Wan Azizah is a very experienced candidate and has the skills to guide the people and community around her.
“She will certainly be a good elected representative who is famous and is always close to the people like when she was the representative of Permatang Pauh and the President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat *PKR),” she told Selangor Kini.
Rodziah said that Selangor will acquire a range of creativity in programme innovations, activities and products for the benefit of the people of more women are paired with men in the decision-making process in the Selangor State Assembly.
For Rodziah, Wan Azizah’s presence makes the Assemblywomen line in Selangor more complete and strong in scrutinising issues concerning welfare, gender and the people’s perspective.
“This does not mean that Assemblymen are not like that, but women’s motherly nature is clearly more of an art.
“Usually, women undertake the task of the care industry. Some women have to end their working lives to take care of family members who are sick, old, disabled and unable to live alone,” she said.
Rodziah said that Selangor’s effort in enhancing the role of women by appointing them to lead important portfolios should be emulated by other states.
“Selangor has proven it as soon as it took over the State Government administration, with 40 percent of its Executive Councillors being women.
“Selangor has also appointed the first woman Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the State Assembly in Malaysia, the first female Mayor in the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), a female President of the Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) and the first female Political Secretary for the Chief Minister of Selangor,” she said.
