Enough about female representation in Dewan

 

In December 2020, I was approached by a representative of a female minister (I will let the readers guess who this is). According to the representative, the YB was planning for a film to be made about her journey in the world of politics, especially on her determination to have 30 percent female representatives in the Parliament.

A copy of the concept proposal prepared by another team of writers was forwarded to me as a reference, and I was requested to produce a new draft. Apparently, the YB preferred the storyline to be (loosely) based on her own instead of a fictional sort.

I was given several pointers to be included in the script:

• She was raised by strict parents who instilled in her values that moulded her into a God-fearing religious person.

• She came from a humble beginning; thus, she has great compassion and empathy for the less fortunate.

• Her journey in politics, particularly within her party, soared as she fought for human rights, social justice, and women’s cause.

• Her fight for women’s rights is acknowledged widely within the country and in the international arena.

The objective of the project was clear – to paint the YB as championing the women agenda in our country.

I did some research on the YB, asked the representative a series of questions, referred to the pointers given and cringed a lot before I finalised my own concept proposal of the film.

Not too long after, I was informed that YB wanted a big press conference organised in early 2021 to introduce this film project. And that is not all, she also wanted a book launch and a soundtrack album to be officiated during the press conference.

She also wanted to play a small role, perhaps a cameo, in the film.

However, the project was halted in early 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

One year later…

During the recent International Women’s Day 2022 celebration, some female politicians made statements in the media regarding the unachieved 30 percent female representation in Dewan Rakyat, thus reminding me of the above story.

Clearly many female politicians, like the YB, are obsessed with increasing female representation. Somehow, they believe having 30 precent female MPs would help in matters pertaining women, children, and family.

One female MP even said recently, and I quote, “Women MPs have the edge as they are more caring and loving while the people’s issues are close to their hearts.”

Really meh?

Why then have we not seen much of this care and love from our existing female MPs when critical issues on women, children and family arise?

Where were they when Madam Loh Siew Long was fighting for her children?

Where were they when a minister advised husbands to beat their ‘stubborn’ wives to discipline them?

Where were they when young girls were legally married off to old pakciks?

Where were they when the world was against genital mutilation towards young girls, yet we were still calling it a cultural practice?

Where were they when women were asked to protect themselves by covering up and taking self-defence lessons?

Sorry but I do not see this ‘care’ and ‘love’ which they are referring to. Even the YB who painted herself as a hero of social justice, failed to step up and play a significant role in championing the critical issues surrounding women in this country.

We just need good MPs

Apart from a very few female MPs who are truly dedicated, I think many others who champion the 30% female representation are just putting on a show. Like the YB in my story, it is all about self-gratification.

In all honesty, I believe we do not need female representation to fight for female agendas. We just need good, decent, responsible, and trustworthy MPs of whatever gender.

In fact, I rather have men to lead the Ministry of Women, Community and Family Development – after all, Rina Harun and Siti Zailah’s positions will not be too difficult to replace.

Overall, setting a quota for female representation is against the principle of equal opportunity. Quotas are undemocratic. Any woman with calibre would not want to get elected just because they are women.

And those who stand in line to get elected just because they have a pair of breasts, a vagina and Doraemon voice, will not be an asset to our country. - Mkini

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FA ABDUL is a multi-award winning playwright and director in the local performing arts scene, a published author, a television scriptwriter, a media trainer and a mother. Her ultimate mission in life is to live out of a small suitcase.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.