Wanita MCA calls for 30% female candidates in GE14

KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita MCA today has called for the party to give at least 30% of its female members an opportunity to be selected as candidates in the next general election to go along with the policy of 30% women in workforce, including the political arena.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie admitted that the party has yet to achieve the intended target of eight female leaders in top leadership as there are currently only four out of the 35 central committee members who are women.

"I hope that 30% of MCA's election candidates will be women in the next general election.

"I also call on other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to adopt the same approach," she said at a press conference after the opening ceremony of the 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Wisma MCA here today.

1,352 out of 2,099 Wanita MCA delegates had attended the AGM today.

The delegates passed seven resolutions pertaining to issues involving politics, government affairs, party affairs, education and security.

Heng said there were very few women being selected as candidates eventhough 41% of the 423,000 MCA members are women.
In her speech at the AGM, Heng, also urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to appoint their respective women and youth members to be co-opted as bureau chiefs or vice-chairmen.

She explained that this approach would not only show them that their efforts are appreciated but is also an opportunity to train them as future leaders for the organisations.

Meanwhile, MCA Secretary-General Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan agreed with Heng's call to have more female candidates in the next general election.

"We have to train those potential female members to ensure they are fully prepared to take on candidacy in the 14th General Election.

"They have to improve themselves, in terms of knowledge and moral behaviour before serving people," he said.

Ong added the party's School of Political Studies, which providing short and long-term courses, had targeted to train and nurture more members, including women, to be future leaders.