The HerLead initiative, organized by Wanita DAP, serves as a platform for the Democratic Action Party (DAP) to identify potential female candidates for the upcoming 16th General Election (GE16), according to DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke.
Loke, who also serves as the Minister of Transport, explained that HerLead offers leadership training to Wanita DAP members of various ages, thereby preparing them for potential leadership roles within the party.
“Attending this course does not automatically qualify one to become a candidate,” Loke clarified. “However, this program helps us identify a pool of potential candidates who have undergone leadership training, which is a crucial criterion for selection as election candidates.”
He emphasized that this practice is now common across all political parties and is taken very seriously by DAP. The party seeks candidates who are winnable, academically accomplished, experienced, and possess a strong record in community service and leadership. This, Loke stressed, is essential for the selection process. He made these remarks at the closing ceremony of the program, which was also attended by Wanita DAP Chief Teo Nie Ching.
Loke highlighted that the HerLead program is a foundational step for DAP to discover internal talent and ensure a smooth leadership transition by training more young candidates, especially women.
“Our objective is to field more female candidates in the future,” he stated. “Considering that half of the country’s population and voters are women, their participation in politics is relatively low. DAP is committed to increasing women's involvement in politics, making this initiative by Wanita DAP particularly commendable.”
The inaugural batch of HerLead participants included 32 women, some as young as 17 years old, who attended a two-day course covering leadership, party policies, public speaking, and more.
Loke mentioned that the top participants from the program would be offered internships with DAP leaders. “We will provide internships to them, not just within the government. Many are already working with our leaders at various levels, whether in government or within the party. They can also serve at our service centres,” he added.
He concluded by noting that these service centres are crucial training grounds for future leaders, underscoring the importance of practical experience in political leadership development.
This initiative reflects DAP’s proactive approach to nurturing female leaders, aiming for a more inclusive and representative political landscape in Malaysia. — Bernama
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