PENAMPANG: All political parties in Sabah, in government or opposition, must create a more inclusive and women-friendly political environment to narrow the gender gap in political leadership, Upko Women chief Mohina Sidom said.
She said the issue was highlighted by the recent 17th Sabah election, in which only five of 71 women candidates were elected to the state assembly.
“Out of 73 elected representatives, only five are women. With one appointed assemblywoman, we have only six women compared with 79 representatives in the Sabah State Assembly,” she said in her policy speech at the Upko Women, Youth and Young Generation Triennial General Meeting on Sunday.
Women account for only about 8 per cent of the assembly, well below the 30 per cent representation target advocated by women’s groups, she said.
Mohina also expressed disappointment that calls for more women to be appointed to the assembly had not been sufficiently heard following the formation of the state government.
She said women’s participation should not be viewed simply as fulfilling a quota but as a way to strengthen decision-making.
“Women’s inclusion is not merely about fulfilling a quota, but about enriching the decision-making process in the interests of all the people,” she said.
Upko fielded five women among its 25 candidates in the election, representing 20 per cent of its candidates, she said.
Mohina urged more women to enter politics, saying it should be viewed as a platform for public service rather than a pursuit of power.
“Politics is a space for those who want to serve. Hence, Upko needs more women from all walks of life to come together to shape the future of this state,” she said.
She said more women were also taking leadership roles within Upko, including as division chiefs and performing on an equal footing with male leaders.
Under the party’s “Sabah First” agenda, she said women should receive greater opportunities in education, employment, skills training, talent development and leadership, while their views should be reflected in policies affecting the state.
Mohina said Upko’s participation in the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition should provide greater space for women to contribute to the state’s development agenda.
“Women can no longer be seen merely as election machinery, but must be recognised as capable of formulating policies and becoming agents of change,” she said.
She also called for greater representation of women in Sabah’s Native Courts, following the passage of the Native Courts Bill 2026 last month.
Mohina said more qualified women should be appointed as Native Court officers, particularly because the courts deal with matters including marriage, divorce and domestic affairs in rural communities.
She also urged the government to strengthen shelters, counselling, legal assistance, psychological rehabilitation and public education to protect women and children from violence and abuse.
She hoped the Federal and Sabah budgets for 2027 would provide sufficient allocations to strengthen such protection measures.
