Nancy fielding questions from reporters after officiating the Power and Presence Bootcamp. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (Sept 21): The proposed addition of 17 Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats and the push for one-third representation for Sabah and Sarawak in Parliament could provide greater opportunities for women to participate in politics, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The proposed 17 additional DUN seats were approved by the Sarawak DUN through the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 passed in July last year, with the Election Commission (EC) now conducting a month-long public display exercise from Sept 1.
Meanwhile, on Sept 11, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Federal Constitution would be amended to allow for greater representation of Members of Parliament from Sabah and Sarawak, in line with what was promised under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Nancy said if the proposed 17 additional DUN seats received approval, the ratio of women’s participation in political leadership should also be increased, including in Parliament.
“If there are too many from only one gender, there may be a lack of balance, so we also encourage more women to participate,” she said when met by reporters after officiating the Power and Presence Bootcamp at the Sarawak State Library here on Monday.
Nancy said this was in line with the need to encourage more women to take part in political leadership, adding that there should not be a ceiling on women’s representation.
“We have set a target of 60 per cent (women’s participation) by 2030.
“But in whatever area — for me, as a woman leader, if we give them opportunities to lead, we can also go beyond (30 per cent). By 2030, the 60 per cent target can be achieved,” she said.
While women are encouraged to participate in politics, Nancy explained that this does not necessarily mean they have to take up roles as ministers or politicians.
When asked about introducing new female faces into the political arena, Nancy stressed that this should happen as there is a need for successors and the next generation of leaders.
“Therefore, they need to be trained and, God willing, if they can carry themselves to a higher level where they can be recognised by the leadership,” she said.