Barisan Nasional seeks to raise women candidates to at least 26% in the Johor state election, says Noraini Ahmad.

PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) aims to maintain or increase the participation of women candidates in the upcoming Johor state election, said BN Women’s chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.

She said women currently account for about 25 to 26 per cent of BN representatives who won seats in Johor at the last election, making the state a benchmark for women’s participation within the coalition.

“We in Barisan Nasional Women certainly want women candidates to be given prominence because Johor is now among the states with the highest number of Barisan Nasional women candidates,” the UMNO Women chief said.

Noraini, who is also the Plantation and Commodities Minister was speaking to reporters after visiting the Klang Valley Distribution Terminal (KVDT) for the implementation of B15 biodiesel here today.

She said the percentage of BN women candidates would be discussed further with Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“We will try to achieve our target because, at present, that is the highest figure we have attained, around 26% or more,” she added.

The Johor State Legislative Assembly was dissolved yesterday to pave the way for the 16th state election, as Onn Hafiz had announced that BN would be contesting in all 56 seats.

 The Sun Malaysia