KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 ― Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail can soon be Malaysia’s first female prime minister if Pakatan Harapan wins the next general elections, a DAP lawmaker said today.
The party's parliamentary whip Anthony Loke was responding to Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin's, who said in his message on International Women’s Day today that he hoped Malaysia would have its first female PM by 2050.
“We (the opposition) are ready to support Permatang Pauh as the prime minister if we are given the mandate. There's no need to wait for 2050,” Loke said in the Dewan Rakyat today while debating the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's royal address, referring to Permatang Pauh MP and Opposition Leader Dr Wan Azizah.
Loke also flayed Barisan Nasional (BN) for its mindset of only wanting a female prime minister in 2050, which is 33 years from now, instead of supporting their current crop of female leaders.
“That reflects thinking of BN. Even the most progressive minister in the Cabinet has such a mentality. We here are prepared for a woman leader,” he said.
The DAP leader also pointed out that the Malaysian Parliament has yet to have a female Speaker, saying it should follow the example set in the Selangor state assembly, where DAP’s Hannah Yeoh was made the first female Speaker.
“In the Dewan Rakyat, there has not yet been a female Speaker or Deputy Speaker. We hope that soon there is a woman who can chair this House,” Loke stressed.
