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MALAYSIA must urgently increase women’s participation in Parliament after falling behind several Middle Eastern and African countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Rwanda, the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat has said.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul noted that women currently make up only about 13 per cent of Malaysia’s Members of Parliament, well below the national target of 30 per cent and far behind international benchmarks.
“Today, the percentage of women Members of Parliament in Malaysia is only around 13 per cent,” he said.
He contrasted this with other countries, pointing out that “the UAE exceeds 30 per cent, Rwanda has reached 50 per cent, and Saudi Arabia has achieved 30 per cent representation in the Shura Council”.
Johari said the shortfall could not be separated from the hostile political environment faced by women, particularly in the age of social media.
“In the era of social media, the moment a woman expresses her intention to contest, slander begins, followed by personal attacks, baseless accusations and social pressure,” he said.
“As a result, many women and professionals choose to distance themselves from politics. They have stable careers, well-protected families, and are unwilling to bear the burden of slander and political uncertainty,” he added.
“This is why we remain trapped at the figure of 13 per cent.”
He was speaking at the Malaysian Youth Parliament Tour programme at the International Islamic University Malaysia, attended by IIUM Deputy Rector for Student Development and Community Engagement Colonel (Rtd) Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Fauzan Noordin and Parliament of Malaysia Chief Administrator Datuk Dr Ahmad Hussaini Abdul Rahman.
Johari also argued that Malaysia’s current electoral system places additional obstacles in the path of professional women seeking to enter and succeed in politics.
He said a proportional representation system should be seriously considered as a reform option.
“That system is fairer, more inclusive and more meaningful for the future of the nation’s democracy,” he said.
“One of the major consequences of the existing system is the failure to produce the best representatives of the people. In contrast, proportional representation gives parties the space to present candidates who are truly credible,” he added. - December 16, 2025
