Women in Malaysia well looked After, says Shabery

The Barisan Nasional (BN) accords due recognition to women in Malaysia who also contribute to the growth of the nation in terms of social matters and politics, said Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

"Since Merdeka many Malaysian women have held high posts in various fields and in government," he said at a breaking of the fast function with 32 single mothers and 62 orphans here Saturday.

Also present were the ministry's deputy secretary-general Datuk Dr Rothiah Omar and Broadcasting director-general Datuk Nor Hayati Ismail.

He said the BN government had never denied women their rights including in politics.

"It cannot be understated women played key role in ensuring the BN's victories in elections and the same would be for the Kuala Besut by-election on July 24.

"We (BN) really appreciate their sacrifices in campaigning for the coalition for this by-election," he said.

Meanwhile, the Kuala Besut and Kelantan chapters of Jemaah Al-Ehsan Islamiyyah Malaysia, a non-governmental organisation, today stated their support for the Barisan Nasional Candidate in the by-election.

The support was voiced by the NGO's chairman Zakaria Salleh, who was accompanied by some 50 supporters, before Umno Information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan at a press conference here.

The Kuala Besut by-election on July 24, will be between BN candidate Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abd Rahman, 37, an engineer and local PAS candidate, Endot@Azlan Yusof, 48, a businessman.

Kuala Besut has 17,683 voters and the seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Dr A Rahman Mokhtar of the BN on June 26 due to lung cancer.