By Dewi Abdul Rahman
SHAH ALAM, July 7 — The story of the courage and resilience of Zohran Mamdani from New York, the United States, should serve as an inspiration to aspiring women leaders being nurtured through the 2025 Selangor Women’s Assembly (Siwanis).
State executive councillor for women’s development and social welfare Anfaal Saari said Mamdani, the son of Muslim immigrants who was initially little-known, managed to defeat prominent political figures, including former governor Andrew Cuomo, in the city's mayoral primary election.
“But how did he win? He listened and mobilised the people’s voice. Support for Mamdani was organic — it came directly from the people, because he launched a door-to-door campaign, visited community centres, spoke to the people, and listened to their grievances.
“His message was simple but heartfelt. This is the kind of people’s leader we should emulate,” she said during her speech to mentors and participants at the Siwanis delegate handover and mentor-mentee briefing ceremony at the State Secretariat Building this morning.
Anfaal added that the people of New York chose a bold leader who fought for their future regardless of religion, race, or appearance.
“To all the aspiring women leaders here, take up this spirit. Do not be afraid to go to the ground, to listen to the people’s voices, and to champion their real issues,” she urged.
[caption id="attachment_406784" align="aligncenter" width="1342"]
State executive councillor for women’s development and social welfare Anfaal Saari (front, centre) and Wanita Berdaya Selangor chief executive officer Faridah Abdul Samad (front, third from right) during the 2025 Selangor Women’s Assembly delegate handover and mentor-mentee briefing ceremony at the State Secretariat Building in Shah Alam, on July 7, 2025. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
The councillor also reaffirmed Siwanis' commitment to achieving 50 per cent women’s representation at all levels of decision-making as a principled struggle, not merely a matter of numbers.
“That is why Siwanis boldly and unashamedly puts forth the aspiration of 50 per cent women’s representation at every level of decision-making. Let people say, ‘Oh dear, even 30 per cent is hard – how can you reach 50 per cent?’
“But we hold firm to our aspiration, and we are working hard towards it, because we believe that this aspiration will benefit not only women but all Malaysians,” she said.
Meanwhile, Wanita Berdaya Selangor chief executive officer Faridah Abdul Samad said the aspiration can be realised through the commitment of political parties and their willingness to table the motion within Siwanis, even though women’s participation currently stands at less than 15 per cent.
Siwanis aims to shape a line-up of women leaders who are of higher quality, skilled in policy and issues, and capable of practising good governance.
Among its key focuses are gender equality at the decision-making and policy level, women’s empowerment, inclusivity, job accessibility, and cost of living.
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Candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani rides the subway following a campaigning stop in New York City, the United States, on April 1, 2025. — Picture by REUTERS[/caption]
