Empowering Women in Politics for a Fairer Society

Progress Towards Female Representation in Terengganu’s Legislature

For decades, Terengganu faced challenges with a significant absence of female representation in its state legislature, having gone 44 years without a single female legislator from 1974 to 2018.

This narrative saw a change in 2018 when Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, the Mentri Besar of Terengganu, leveraged Article 27(2) of the Terengganu state Constitution to appoint Zuraida Mohamad Nor as its first female appointee to the legislative assembly.

In a historic milestone for the state, Zuraida was elected as Terengganu’s first-ever female state legislator in 2023, marking a transformative moment in the region’s political landscape.

The Global Context of Female Political Participation

Women’s involvement in politics is crucial on a global scale, with the United Nations reporting that women hold merely 25% of parliamentary seats worldwide. Enhancing this figure is imperative for achieving gender equality and fostering societal advancement.

The inclusion of women in political spheres results in a diversity of perspectives, leading to policies that better represent women, children, families, and marginalized communities. At the grassroots level, such representation significantly impacts local development and community welfare. While Zuraida’s appointment represents progress, systemic barriers persist in Terengganu that limit female political engagement.

Current Limitations in Terengganu’s Legislative Framework

Article 27(2) of the Terengganu state Constitution currently situates the four appointed seats in the legislature under a non-Muslim quota, which restricts women’s access to these roles. With only 2% of the electorate being non-Muslim, this framework greatly hinders efforts toward achieving a gender-balanced political representation.

Proposed Reforms for Enhancing Representation

In response, the Terengganu state MCA Liaison Committee advocates for two pivotal reforms:

1. Institutionalizing the Appointed Seats

The current non-fixed nature of the four appointed seats can lead to alterations based on the ruling party’s preferences. The MCA proposes constitutional amendments to solidify these seats, guaranteeing consistent representation from women, non-Muslims, and diverse social groups irrespective of political fluctuations.

2. Revamping the Appointment Process for Diversity

We recommend that the allocation for the four appointed seats should mirror party representation, ensuring at least two are designated for women, one for a non-Muslim representative, and one earmarked for youth representation. This change would more accurately depict Terengganu’s demographic diversity, fostering equitable representation.

3. Supporting “Projek SAMA” for Enhanced Female Representation

Moreover, the “women-only additional seats” initiative put forth by Projek SAMA and Bait Al Amanah warrants consideration. This proposal advocates for dedicated female seats, ensuring sustained female presence within the state legislature. Successful constitutional amendments could pave the way for the effective realization of this initiative.

A Call to Action for Gender Equality

The MCA of Terengganu strongly encourages the state government to amend Article 27(2) of the Terengganu State Constitution to establish the four appointed seats as a permanent fixture. We also advocate for an equitable distribution of these appointed seats to guarantee at least two are held by women, one by a non-Muslim representative, and one by a youth member, enhancing legislative inclusivity.

On the recent occasion of International Women’s Day celebrated on March 8, coinciding with the 30th Anniversary of Malaysia’s ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Wanita MCA has collectively presented a petition urging the government to take decisive action on ten key issues, including the enhancement of women’s political participation. We emphasize the urgent need for the government to implement affirmative action measures, such as quotas, to ensure greater representation of women in leadership and decision-making roles.

Shared Responsibility for Reform

All political entities must unite in support of these reforms, recognizing that gender representation is not merely a political lever but a fundamental issue of equity. These reforms are essential to advancing toward a more inclusive and just society. The Terengganu MCA remains committed to collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to foster a more diverse and inclusive future for Terengganu.