Women candidates share their agenda for women

JOHOR POLLS | Amid the prevalence of partisan politics that sometimes cloud the policy significance of important issues, women leaders are looked to for a more compassionate perspective than their entrenched male counterparts.

A key issue that has made the headlines in recent weeks is the struggle of single mother Loh Siew Hong, who was denied access to her three children after her now-jailed husband unilaterally changed their religion.

Oblivious to the need for a mother's love or unnecessarily raising the children as orphans when they aren't, powerful men were more interested in dictating their religion and how they should be raised.

In conjunction with International Women's Day today, Malaysiakini reached out to women candidates contesting in the Johor polls and asked them what issues are on their agenda if they win, as well as how they would handle a difficult issue such as Loh's.

All candidates were more than happy to share their plans, but some candidates displayed more courage than others in tackling a sensitive but important issue such as the unilateral conversion of minors. In the Johor polls, 37 out of the 239 candidates are women.

Below are their responses. If the issue of unilateral conversion is not mentioned, it means the candidates had declined to respond.

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N19 Yong Peng: Susan Yong Fui Ling (PN-Gerakan)

Main Agenda

Taking care of the welfare of women, particularly issues faced by single mothers.

Helping unemployed single mothers find new jobs. Provide training opportunities for women who lost their source of income so they can continue to be independent to face more challenges in life.

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N41 Puteri Wangsa: Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz (Muda)

Main agenda

One of my main agendas is on employment opportunities for single mothers. We know that single mothers are eligible for welfare assistance, but many times the amount will be inadequate.

What we must do is to help them be independent of welfare assistance, including through offering relevant vocational skills training.

Secondly, I would also like to raise the issue of period poverty. This is an issue that not only happens in rural areas but also in more urban areas.

We need to ensure that women are able to access these basic items at an affordable price.

Unilateral conversion

The court has made a decision and I believe we should all respect the decision. I urge the state religious authorities, this is an issue of compassion.

It is an issue of a mother’s love for her children. We should move away from making it a racial or religious issue.

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N43 Permas: Mahaya Ahad (Pejuang)

Main agenda

If I’m elected in Permas, issues on women and family would certainly be a priority because a woman is the pillar of a family.

Women these days are capable of doing anything, to work, set up businesses, or even if they chose to stay at home.

We must empower and uplift women. We must figure out how to best find solutions for problems they face.

Take for example the issue of education, how women these days need to provide a stable home environment, electronic devices and others to support their children. That is my dream.

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N47 Kempas: Napsiah Khamis (PKR)

Main agenda

Our two main issues are women’s economy and welfare. When we talk about women’s economy, there are segments of entrepreneurs that we can help. We can offer free training and other facilities to help their businesses grow.

On welfare, we want to ensure that women and mothers will receive their due rights. Even though they are in need, there are many who do not know how to get assistance from the government.

We do not want the allocations to just disappear so we will make sure that all allocations for women will reach them.

Unilateral conversion

We shouldn’t conflate the issue of religious belief and custody. If we look at the recent case in Perlis, we can’t deny the rights of a mother to her children.

In fact, Islam forbids us from cutting family ties. In this case, the court has also granted the mother custody of her children, so the ruling should be respected.

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N4 Kemelah: Normala Sudirman (PN-PAS)

Main agenda

Among the women development agenda, I would like, if given the mandate as Kemelah assemblyperson, to uplift our status through education on women’s rights, to better understand our responsibilities and available defences under the law.

I also aim to promote more socio-economic activities for women, particularly in Kemelah.

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N8 Bukit Pasir: Elia Nadira Sabudin (Harapan-Amanah)

Main agenda

We can see women are often linked to issues of violence. During the movement control order, women were among those under heavy pressure, leading to depression and other issues. Once in that position, they are more prone to be victims of violence.

As a woman candidate, I will raise these issues by opening up more channels for them to seek help. As a woman, I can better understand another woman.

Unilateral conversion

Religion is an individual’s right. But as a Muslim, I don’t encourage unilateral conversion.

We have to hold on to our religious beliefs, but I’m not supportive of unilateral conversion.

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N48 Skudai: Marina Ibrahim (Harapan-DAP)

Main Agenda

1. Women empowerment in the economic sector through assistance and training for women entrepreneurs.

2. Advocacy on mental health and family planning, as well as improving healthcare facilities for women, for example, to perform mammograms.

3. Building a one-stop centre on the rights and policies affecting women to defend those in need.

Unilateral conversion

Conversion of minors requires the consent of both parents, as stated under the Federal Constitution. In the event of a divorce, the child’s religion should be retained. Wait until the child has reached 18 when they can make their own decision.

The issue of unilateral conversion often involves a mother whose children were converted and denied permission to see her. See it from the perspective of the mother, separated from her children who were later converted. Just imagine her feelings.

That is why I believe the best solution is to follow the Federal Court precedent, that conversion of minors requires the consent of both parents.

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N15 Maharani: Nor Hayati Bachok (Harapan-Amanah)

Main agenda

One of our three main thrusts is to rebuild the people’s economy and ensure their well-being. Of course, it encompasses women who require assistance, from single mothers to professionals who may be struggling to rebuild their careers due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now there are many who were let go from their jobs due to Covid, and many are facing mental issues.

The issue of good governance is also linked to women. In Maharani and many other seats in Johor, women voters comprise over 50 percent of the constituents. - Mkini