By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Mar 3 — As women’s political empowerment continues to be a focal point in Selangor, the State Legislative Assembly is stepping up efforts to enhance female leadership despite the decline in elected female representatives from 12 in 2018 to nine following the 2023 Selangor state election.
Speaker Lau Weng San has pushed this effort by appointing more women to key legislative committees and ensuring their engagement in at least two committees, each.
This initiative has strengthened women’s voices in governance, allowing them to actively shape policies, counter extreme narratives, and play a more prominent role in decision-making.
The second Selangor Women's Assembly (Siwanis), hosted at the state assembly in collaboration with state executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari, is a key initiative promoting women’s participation in decision-making and policy development.
Siwanis is designed to equip women with skills to become future state assemblymen, and plays a crucial role in advancing gender equality.
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State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari speaks at the Selangor Women’s Assembly at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, Shah Alam, on December 16, 2024. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
These efforts align with a broader push to address low female representation in legislatures across Malaysia. Despite ongoing challenges, Selangor remains committed to fostering a political landscape where women can lead and contribute meaningfully.
Alongside Siwanis, the state government has introduced programmes such as the Women’s Leadership Academy (AKW), Selangor Young Women Entrepreneur, and Empowered Women’s Centre (PWB) to provide women with leadership training and economic opportunities.
The goal is not just to increase women’s representation but to prepare them to navigate governance challenges effectively. With female representation in state assemblies declining, initiatives like Siwanis serve as a model for other states striving for greater gender inclusivity in politics.
As Selangor continues to push for gender empowerment, the voices of female state assembly members grow stronger. Here’s what they have to say about their experiences and the initiatives driving change:
Lim Yi Wei, Kampung Tunku state assemblyman
“I’m thankful for the Speaker’s initiative to appoint women to lead select and special select committees. However, a way to ensure sustainability and institutionalise women’s leadership roles in the committees would be to enact a ruling that specifies that women leadership must be at least 30 per cent, or even 50 per cent of the number of existing committees, barring certain specific requirements, such as the Public Accounts Committee, whose chair must be the opposition leader.
“WBS (Wanita Berdaya Selangor) has done great work identifying and equipping new female leaders through AKW and Siwanis, but more can be done in terms of training and mentorship programmes such as public policy analysis, shadowing existing female state representatives, concerted funding efforts, in which parties setting up dedicated funds to support female candidates, highlighting success stories, and ensuring that training programmes actively recruit women from underrepresented groups.”
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Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei speaks to Media Selangor at the Selangor Saring programme in her constituency, at the SS3 Petaling Jaya City Council multipurpose hall, on August 3, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Pua Pei Ling, Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman:
“Selangor has always been at the forefront of progressive policies, including efforts to elevate women’s leadership. However, increasing participation is not just about numbers, it’s about ensuring women have real influence where it matters.
“While we have made strides, we must be intentional about identifying and empowering women leaders. That means mentorship programmes, leadership training, and ensuring that women in politics are given substantive roles, not just symbolic positions.
“Political parties and state institutions must work together to create an environment where women are not just participants but key decision-makers. A more balanced leadership benefits everyone, not just women. It strengthens governance, drives social progress, and ensures that policies are reflective of the real needs of the people.
“We need more young women involved in political training, party structures, and grassroots leadership so that when election time comes, we have strong female candidates ready to lead.”
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Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman Pua Pei Ling speaks to the press during Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated), or MBI's, pre-Ramadan food basket distribution programme, at Pangsapuri Idaman, Damansara Damai on March 9, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Nurul Syazwani Noh, Permatang state assemblyman:
“The decline in female state representatives in Selangor from 12 in 2018 to nine in 2024 is a wake-up call, and measures must be taken to enhance women’s representation in politics.
“To address this issue, a multifaceted approach shall be taken immediately. This includes implementing gender quotas and placing women in winnable seats, providing leadership training programmes, and establishing a supportive environment that takes a woman’s nurturing role into consideration.
“Additionally, addressing structural barriers and offering financial support to female candidates can create a more equitable political landscape. By adopting these strategies, Selangor can work towards achieving greater gender equality in political representation, ensuring that women’s voices are heard and valued in the decision-making process.”
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Permatang state assemblyman Nurul Syazwani Noh after the 2024 Selangor Budget's tabling at the State Secretariat Building, Shah Alam, on November 10, 2023. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Pang Sock Tao, Kuala Kubu Baharu state assemblyman:
“I believe the efforts to increase women’s participation at the state level, especially in leadership roles, are moving in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done. The establishment of Pusat Komuniti Wanita in 2009, later rebranded to PWB, stands as a testament to the commitment to increasing women’s involvement at the state level.
“The decline in female representation is a reminder that progress is not always linear. To encourage more women in politics, we must address systemic barriers such as gender bias, financial constraints, and lack of support networks. It is not enough for women to simply be included; they must be given meaningful roles where they can actively shape policies and decisions.
“To achieve this, leadership development and mentorship programmes within political parties are crucial. These initiatives will help cultivate female leaders, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to lead effectively. Additionally, political parties must be committed to fielding more female candidates in winnable seats, not just fulfilling quotas.”
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Kuala Kubu Baharu assemblyman Pang Sock Tao speaks to the media before the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting at Wisma DNS, Shah Alam, on July 4, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
This article is published in conjunction with International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025, with the theme “Accelerate Action”.
