Amanah’s Norwani downplays protests against her candidacy in Paroi

 

Norwani Ahmat on the campaign trail in the Senawang night market last week. She is one of two women nominated by PH-BN in Negeri Sembilan. (Bernama pic)

SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan Amanah Wanita chief Norwani Ahmat said protests against her candidacy in Paroi by the party grassroots in the constituency are part and parcel of a healthy democracy.

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate said while Amanah members had the right to support whoever they wanted, they must also respect decisions made by the party leadership to ensure discipline.

“Our team has met (representatives from) the (Amanah) Rembau and Paroi (divisions). God willing, I believe that we will grow more united,” Norwani said in an interview with FMT.

Norwani’s candidacy encountered opposition from several party branch chiefs in Paroi who had wanted the area’s former assemblyman Taufek Abd Ghani to be fielded instead.

However, on nomination day, Taufek expressed his support for Norwani’s candidacy and hoped the party’s grassroots would back her as well.

Norwani contested the Jempol parliamentary seat for PH at the 15th general election (GE15) but lost to Barisan Nasional’s Shamsul Kahar Deli by a 5,857-vote majority.

She said as Amanah was only allocated two seats – Klawang and Paroi – to contest in the Negeri Sembilan election, the party decided to put up one woman candidate in line with a decision by PH and BN to field more women as candidates for the Aug 12 polls in six states.

Norwani conceded that the five female candidates offered by both parties in the state was still below the 30% quota advocated by both coalitions’ women’s wings, but added that it was a step in the right direction.

“I am deeply delighted when women candidates are brought forward,” she said.

“It is necessary to continue with this practice, especially considering the ‘adat perpatih’ in Negeri Sembilan where women hold a higher status. As such, the involvement of women as candidates in the political sphere should be encouraged.”

Negeri Sembilan’s “adat perpatih” places a strong emphasis on uplifting women’s dignity. It traces family lineage through mothers and provides for women to inherit ancestral property. - FMT