Gender issue not the main consideration for DUN Mahkota candidate, says Shahaniza

KUALA LUMPUR: An UMNO leader stated that the primary consideration for the party in selecting a candidate for the Mahkota State Assembly (DUN) seat should not be based on gender.

UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Shahaniza Shamsuddin explained that the focus should be on the candidate’s suitability and their acceptance within the constituency.

She emphasized that it is not wrong for party wings to lobby for candidates from their respective movements, as long as the selected candidate can retain the seat for UMNO.

“Women may say that it’s a traditional seat for them, but ultimately, it is subject to the leadership’s discretion after evaluating the candidate’s criteria.

“I’m speaking generally; if there is a suitable and winnable female candidate, I don’t see any problem.

“If a more suitable and winnable candidate is not a woman, then women should accept that they can contest other seats later. It doesn’t necessarily mean that Mahkota must be given to a woman… what’s important is that the candidate can win and is accepted by the community,” she said when met at the UMNO General Assembly (PAU) 2024 today.

Meanwhile, Shahaniza’s views were supported by Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, Chief of UMNO Gombak Division, who stated that the party leadership has different approaches and considerations depending on the needs and interests of each area contested by UMNO.

He noted that even though UMNO Central receives proposals from the Women’s wing, other party wings also submit their own candidates.

“I think this is not an issue… it’s a perception and assumption that women cannot contest, but that’s not the case.

“There are seats contested by men that are eventually filled by women, and there are seats traditionally for women contested by men. It’s not about which gender holds the seat,” he said.