KOTA KINABALU, April 9 – The Barisan Nasional (BN) is expected to field more women candidates in Sabah in the 13th general election in line with the coalition’s policy to enhance women’s participation in politics, said reliable sources. Among potential candidates said to be shortlisted are State Wanita Umno chief Datuk Armani Mahiruddin, state Wanita MCA chief Datuk Agnes Shim, eminent teacher Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, Jornah Mozihim (Parti Bersatu Sabah – PBS), Semporna Umno Wanita chief Manis Muka Dara, Silam Wanita Umno chief Saleha Abdul Wahid, and Kalabakan Puteri Umno chief Noraini Abdul Ghapur.
In the 2008 general election, BN fielded six women candidates, including two for parliamentary seats, namely Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin (Umno), and Datuk Chua Soon Bui (Sabah Progressive Party – SAPP) for the Papar and Tawau parliamentary seats respectively. The others who contested the state seats were Datuk Melanie Chia (SAPP/Luyang), Datuk Jainab Ahmad (Umno/Karambunai), Datuk Hamisa Samat (Umno/Tanjung Batu), and Anita Baranting (Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS)/Tandek). However, Chua and Melanie along with other SAPP leaders left the BN on Sept 17, 2008.
In 2010, the BN fielded PBS’ Datin Linda Tsen Thau Lin for the Batu Sapi parliamentary by-election and won with a 6,359-vote majority following the death of incumbent Edmund Chong Ket Wah, who was Tsen’s husband. Meanwhile, PBS Wanita chief Senator Datuk Jamilah Sulaiman said she was optimistic that more women candidates would be fielded in Sabah in the election.
BERNAMA
