Dyana's candidacy doesn't mean DAP good choice for women

Just because the DAP fielded a young female Malay candidate in the Teluk Intan parliamentary by-election, it does not mean it provides a lot of opportunities to women, said Wanita UMNO deputy chief Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun.

She said instead, UMNO had nominated more women, including youngsters in the 13th general election (GE13).

This could be attested by the appointment of many women leaders, including from Puteri UMNO, by UMNO at state and national levels, she told reporters after handing over a letter of appointment to the Teluk Intan Women's Networking Group (Perwani) chairman here last night.

For the record, UMNO fielded 42 female candidates in GE13 against 22 from the DAP. Thirty-two female candidates from UMNO won their contests.

Barisan Nasional's Datuk Mah Siew Keong, 52, faces DAP's Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud, 27, in the Teluk Intan parliamentary by-election on May 31.

Azizah, who is also Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said what mattered most in the by-election was the ability of the elected representative in providing exemplary services to the community.

On calls for Dyana Sofya's mother's membership in UMNO to be revoked for supporting her daughter's candidacy and the DAP, Azizah said Yammy Samat (Dyana Sofya's mother) had violated party rules and ethics.