Rafizi: Bersama aims for 50pct female candidates, 70pct under 50 years old

 

Parti Bersama Malaysia is aiming for at least 50 percent female representation and 70 percent of its candidates to be under the age of 50, according to co-leader Rafizi Ramli.

Speaking at a ceramah in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, last night, he stressed that qualifications would remain the party’s primary consideration in candidate selection.

“Based on my and Nik’s (Nazmi Nik Ahmad) plan, if it is possible, we would like to have 70 percent of Bersama candidates to be below age 50 and then more than 50 percent are women, regardless of their age.

“However, this does not mean that people can come and say ‘I am a woman, therefore I deserve this and that’.

“We want to make sure everyone (who gets to be fielded as a candidate) really deserves it and can become a good leader,” Rafizi said.

The former Pandan MP was responding to a question from the audience about Bersama’s position on female representation in the leadership and elections.

While acknowledging the importance of female representation, Rafizi cautioned against becoming overly fixated on quotas.

“Because whether you are a woman or a man, young or old, the responsibility as a people’s representative and leader is the same.

“No one is going to give you an easier path just because you are a woman, or because you are a Gen Z, for example.

“If you are not up to the mark, regardless of your sex or age, failing to discharge your responsibilities properly will leave a bitter aftertaste in the future,” he said.

Rejecting race-based politics

During the event, Rafizi also said Bersama seeks to move away from race-based politics and instead offer policies that are fair to all Malaysians.

He said the party aims to challenge the status quo by proving that a political party that does not rely on racial narratives can still gain broad public support.

According to Rafizi, Bersama has no intention of playing the same political game practised by many parties in the past.

“What we want to do is, when we implement something, everyone will be treated fairly. So, we won’t say one thing to the Indians and promise another to the Malays.

“When we say we want to help the socioeconomy of the rakyat, we need a national integrated social security system where everyone gets what they deserve.” - Mkini