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The Star
27-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
A spotlight on gender barriers
Empowering women: (From left) Rebecca Fatima, UCSI Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts Prof Dr Chan Nee Nee, Prof Siti Hamisah, Tunku Zain Al'-Abidin, Tengku Dr Naufal, Mahuran Saro and UCSI Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts dean Prof Dr Rogayah Razak posing for a photo at the conference. Malaysia could take up to 100 years to close gender gaps if meaningful actions are not taken now, said Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) director Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria. Citing data from the World Economic Forum, she said while Malaysia had made commendable progress, much more needs to be done to bridge the gap and overcome barriers. 'Malaysia is ranked the lowest among nine Asean countries for political power and representation – particularly in Parliament 'Only 13.5% of our elected representatives are women,' said Rebecca Fatima, who is the former Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) secretary-general. Speaking at UCSI University's 'Women Empowerment Conference: She Shines – a Celebration of Women's Voices' on April 11, she stressed the importance of giving more visibility to women who often go unheard. 'There are structural and cultural barriers that must be addressed if we are to give wings to the ambition and drive of our women and girls. 'This includes enacting laws that strengthen a better and more balanced ecosystem,' she said, adding that universities are well-positioned to support policymakers through objective, data-based evaluation of public policies and programmes. The conference also saw the staging of a play titled Women of Nusantara: Their Seen and Unseen Worlds. The brainchild of Wilkes University Fulbright programme adviser Prof Dr Gina Zanolini Morrison, the play explored the spiritual beliefs and practices of working women in the Malay Archipelago. Based on her three years of fieldwork in the region, the play's delivery showcased a dynamic two-way academic exchange between Eastern and Western perspectives. 'The people of this region have taught me so much and I want to share my research findings differently,' said Prof Morrison, who thanked UCSI vice-chancellor Emerita Prof Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir for her support over the past 17 years. 'She encouraged me to embark on this research and gave me the space to transform it into art. 'That's what women who empower other women do,' she said in a press release from the varsity. The event was officiated by UCSI pro-chancellor Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin Tuanku Muhriz, who paid tribute to Malaysian women like Malaysia's two-time first lady Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, squash legend Datuk Nicol David and former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz. 'These remarkable women and countless others across our nation are not just participants but drivers of change, catalysts for progress and role models for future generations of Malaysian women and girls. 'Let us move beyond outdated perceptions and recognise women as equal leaders in shaping a just, equitable and prosperous future,' he said. The conference also welcomed panel speakers including DTE Consult founder Tengku Dr Naufal Tengku Mansor and TalentCorp Malaysia senior vice-president Mahuran Saro Sariki.
Free Malaysia Today
22-04-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Think tank moots use of 4W1H technique in preparing political funding bill
Political funding, or political financing, refers to how political parties and individual politicians raise money for election campaigns, daily operations and other activities. PETALING JAYA : The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) has called for the adoption of the 4W1H technique often used by journalists in drawing up the political financing bill. The technique is based on a series of questions used to compose a news story: 'who', 'what', 'where', 'when', and 'how'. The think tank said the proposed legislation should include answers to these five questions, namely, 'who is the person/entity that is obliged to report'; 'what type and size of donation is to be reported?'; 'when does the report need to be made?'; 'how or in what form is the reporting to be done?'; and 'where or to whom does the report go?'. 'More advanced countries, especially in Europe, make use of the well-known 4W1H guidelines,' IDEAS said in a statement. The proposal follows news reports yesterday quoting law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said as saying that discussions had been initiated by her office with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission regarding the proposed law. IDEAS also suggested that the proposed law require political parties and election candidates to keep records of all direct and indirect contributions received during and after the electrical campaign. A report on the contributions should be made public, it added. The proposals were part of the think tank's policy paper, titled 'Effective Reporting and Disclosure of Political Finance: Guidelines, Best Practices, Challenges, and Lessons for Malaysia', which advocates a transparent political financing system and outlines ways to achieve it.
