SHAH ALAM - The Council of Malaysian Women Political Leaders (Comwel) praised the 37 women contesting in the March 12 Johor polls, with its president and founder, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin stating the state's previous polls only had 28 women candidates.
"Although women candidates only dominate 15.5 percent of the total number of candidates, I hope voters would give them a chance to win the seats.
"It is clear that when an elected representative is a woman, they will definitely bring up issues involving women and families to be discussed during the State Assembly (DUN) sessions and on policies, she said in a statement.
She said at least 17 women need to win to make up 30 percent in the state assembly.
Zuraida, the Plantation Industries and Commodities minister also congratulated Barisan Nasional (BN) for having 14 women candidates, the highest among other all other political parties.
She urged others would step up efforts to appoint more female leaders.
"On behalf of Comwel, I would like to congratulate and wish every success to women candidates and I hope they will bring in positive change for the rakyat,” she said