GE15: Kedah BN women parliamentary candidates determined to prove their mettle

ALOR SETAR: The women candidates fielded by Barisan Nasional (BN) in four parliamentary constituencies in Kedah in the 15th General Election (GE15) are determined to prove their mettle and wrest back the seats from the opposition.

The BN candidate for Pendang parliamentary seat, Datuk Suraya Yaacob, who is Kedah UMNO Information chief, said she wants to be the voice for the people in the rice bowl state, especially the women.

The Sungai Tiang Assemblywoman hoped that the electorates in Pendang would give due consideration to having women as their Member of Parliament (MP).

"It is not easy for women to be fielded as candidates. So when BN gets the chance to field its women as candidates to contest in 30 per cent of the 15 parliamentary seats in the state, the electors should give it a serious thought.

"Look at who the (women) candidates are first, not at the party they represent. Look at their ability and persistent efforts," she said when met by Bernama here

A former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, who is fielded for the Kuala Kedah parliamentary seat, said she was willing to take up the challenge to ensure victory for BN.

She expressed confidence in winning the seat.

"When I was informed that I will be fielded in Kuala Kedah, I did a little homework and drew up my own manifesto.

"I also went to meet some of the electorates there and they were very excited to have a woman leader, and to me, that is an early sign of victory for BN," she said.

Meanwhile, BN candidate for Sungai Petani parliamentary seat, Datuk Shahanim Mohamad Yusoff opined that more women should be given the opportunity to be elected representatives in Kedah.

BN candidate for Sik parliamentary seat, Maizatulakmam Othman @ Ibrahim said more women should be given a chance to become elected representatives as they better understand the needs of women.

The Sik UMNO Wanita chief said it would not be an easy task for her to win the seat.

"I need to work hard to win the votes of my electorates, 50 per cent of whom are women. I have been with UMNO for 20 years. I am confident that the party members will help me. Insya Allah, BN will win," she added.

-- BERNAMA