By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Sept 30 — The implementation of non-constituency seats (NCS) will enable more women to be appointed as state representatives without needing to go through the general election (GE) process.
However, the Menteri Besar’s political secretary Juwairiya Zulkifli said the Laws of the Constitution of Selangor must be amended beforehand, similar to what Sabah and Terengganu have done.
“Non-constituency seats are not a foreign concept as many countries have implemented it like New Zealand, while the closest is Sabah and Terengganu.
“However, if Selangor wants to do so, we need to amend the relevant laws to enable more women representation in the State Legislative Assembly.
“This is because during the GE process, things are out of our control. For example, perhaps 50 women will contest but we do not have the power to determine who will win as the country’s democratic system gives this power to voters,” she said.
Juwairiya was speaking during the Skop talk show on RS-1 titled ‘Women and Leadership’, broadcasted live on SelangorTV’s Youtube channel and Media Selangor’s Facebook page on Tuesday (September 27).
The Bukit Melawati state assemblyman said NCS is also meant to promote political, gender and social diversity.
“If this is implemented on the Parliament level, the Federal Constitution will also need to be amended. I believe NCS will be able to expand representation beyond political parties.
“Although all governments wish for majority seats, a strong government will represent everybody from among their ranks. But NCS provides a chance for representatives from other parties to contribute to both state and country,” she said.
