KOTA KINABALU: The integration among women in Sabah is something to be proud of, said Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
She said the connection among women, be it in politics, NGOs and those holding positions in the government sector should be taken as an example to the other states.
“I believe their integration not only contributes to the great development of Sabah as a whole, but also moving towards the visions of both Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and also Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“That is why I always reiterate my concerns to give more space to Sabah women in politics – giving them the chance to stand in the election,¨ Shahrizat said this during the launching of Sabah Gemilang @ Pasarnita at Wisma Wanita yesterday, in conjunction with International Women’s Day.
In line with the International Women’s Day theme Press for Progress, Shahrizat, who is Advisor on Women Entrepreneurship and Professional Development in the Prime Minister’s Department, said Sabah women should be given more opportunities in entrepreneurship, as it had been proven to be a medium to create a more independent personality.
However, she stressed that progress should also start from the government and the political movement itself.
“As women, we want to be the pressure group bringing more women issues. It has been very good in Malaysia, in fact it is very good in Sabah, so we want it to be better.
“If we want progress, we must do it ourselves. Women have been labelled as the figure behind every man’s success. We don’t want that; we want to work side by side with men,¨ she said.
A total of 400 women participated in the event.
Pasarnita is a programme to provide a platform for budding businesswomen to do business and showcase their products.
Shahrizat also expressed hope that a more permanent location for Pasarnita be set up as a one-stop centre for women in Sabah to showcase their products.
Also present yesterday were Sabah Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid, deputy state secretary (Administration) Datuk Asnimar Sukardi, Sabah Umno Women chief Datuk Armani Mahiruddin and Sabah Women’s Advisory Council (MPWS) chairperson Datuk Dr Tarsiah TZ Taman.