MIRI: PBB Wanita will put all their persuasion skills to work in the state election to ensure that at least 60 per cent of women voters turn up to cast their votes on April 16.
Its deputy chief Datin Fatimah Abdullah, who is Dalat incumbent, said in the last state election in 2006, the turnout was about 50 per cent.
She explained that PBB Wanita wanted to home in on women voters because generally they are very supportive of the Barisan Nasional (BN).
Fatimah said this to reporters after officiating at the Islamic Family Seminar 2011 at Miri Marriot Resort & Spa here yesterday.
Asked about Lingga incumbent Simoi Peri who had announced that she would not be seeking re-election, Fatimah declined to comment.
“We will leave the matter with the party leadership. But we respect Simoi’s decision in wanting to make way for young blood to come up.”
In announcing her decision last Tuesday, Simoi also said she would be relinquishing her post as a Supreme Council member of PBB Wanita and as PBB Lingga chief. She will only serve the party as an ordinary member.
Simoi added that her decision was also prompted by the fact that she wanted to concentrate on charity work, religious activities and her business.
She hinted that the candidate for Lingga would probably be a man.
PBB president and Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had on March 27 indicated that PBB might not field any new woman candidates in the coming state election despite having some potential woman members.
The key reason is because these women are not ready due to factors such as family matters and other personal commitments.