Pressing need for increased women’s representation in Sabah politics

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 11): Wanita MCA Sabah supports a proposal from three non-governmental organisations to increase women’s representation in Sabah’s state legislature.

They suggest creating “Women’s Only Additional Seats” (WOAS), where the six nominated assembly seats would be reserved for women. Given Sabah’s diverse communities — from urban areas to rural villages and coastal regions — Wanita MCA proposes that two of these six seats be set aside for women from each of these areas.

Currently, women hold only 8.2 per cent of seats in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly and just 12 per cent in Parliament.

Datuk Dr Pamela Yong, the Wanita MCA Sabah chairperson and MCA Deputy Secretary General, said these numbers highlight a significant barrier that keeps women from participating fully in government and decision-making.

“As we navigate an important moment in Sabah’s political scene, it is crucial that we raise our collective voices for gender equality and ensure women have a real say in shaping our future. The low representation of women in our legislative bodies underscore a significant and persistent gap that cannot be overlooked.

“We applaud the initiative proposed by the NGOs for WOAS in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly. This strategic move could significantly bolster our current representation and serve as a meaningful catalyst for change,” said Pamela in a statement on Friday.

She pointed out that historically, Sabah politics has not prioritised increasing women’s representation. For instance, a previous request from the Sabah Women’s Action-Resource Group to nominate only female candidates for vacant positions was overlooked.

“Had this proposal been accepted, we could have raised women’s representation from 8.2 per cent to 15.2 per cent. Such missed chances should inspire us to take action,” she said.

Pamela urged the Sabah state government to prioritise adopting the WOAS concept. “This step would not only amplify women’s voices in our legislature but also set an example for other states,” she said.

Pamela also urged all stakeholders — government officials, civil society, and the electorate — to collaborate towards fostering an inclusive political environment that empowers women.

“We need to strive for a Sabah where women’s contributions shift beyond the traditional domestic sphere, are valued, our voices heard, and representation ensured, where our Land Below the Wind embraces a more equitable future,” she said.

Meanwhile, Wanita MCA Sabah urged all Malaysians irrespective of gender to sign the following petition in support of expanding women representation in Sabah politics: Borang Penandatangan Deklarasi Kinabalu ‘Enakmen Kerusi Tambahan Wanita Sahaja (WOAS)’ at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdx2KGQUORJsgkT40M_yVc8N_ppl3mSGw-fkuYgFQm1s7ozAw/viewform