POLITICS

Teo Urges Sabah Voters Recognise DAP's Commitment To Gender Equality

20/11/2025 06:51 PM

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- DAP Women’s Chief Teo Nie Ching has urged voters in Sabah to consider the party's decision to field four women out of its eight candidates in the Nov 29 17th Sabah State Election, saying that this move demonstrates its sincerity in women's empowerment and commitment to closing the gender gap.

Teo emphasised that the position adopted by a political party in fielding female candidates speaks volumes about its future commitment to empower women leaders and narrow the gender gap.

"I think it’s very important for us to give support to the political party which is willing and sincere in women empowerment. Because if women are only a small percentage of the candidate, it means that it’s only a token,” she said during a press conference here today.

Teo, who was present to support the manifesto launch of Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Kapayan seat, Datuk Jannie Lasimbang, highlighted the fact that Sabah DAP's 50 per cent ratio of female candidates far surpassed other parties.

“If you compare to other political parties, nobody is close to us. I give a few examples...Parti Warisan (Warisan) fielded 73 candicates but only nine are woman; Perikatan Nasional (six out of 42 candidates); Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat or KDM (two out 40 candidates).

“DAP is the one which has been consistent enough and brave enough to put 50 per cent female candidates,” she added.

According to the Deputy Communications Minister, the party’s commitment to narrowing the gender gap is crucial because overall women's participation in politics at the federal and state levels remains extremely low, at around twelve to thirteen per cent, which contributed to Malaysia's low ranking on the global gender gap index.

Given this, she urged Sabah voters to support the DAP’s female candidates, citing Jannie as a good example as the Kapayan incumbent focuses on the elderly, healthcare and women in her manifesto, demonstrating a strong understanding of their needs.

According to the Election Commission (EC) statistics, a total of 1,784,843 voters are eligible to exercise their democratic right to vote in this election. They consist of 1,760,417 ordinary voters, 11,697 military personnel and their spouses and 12,729 police personnel and their spouses.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah State Election, please visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php.

N25: KAPAYAN 49,597 voters

1. Cyril Gerald Liew @ Cyril Gerald Austin (IND)

2. Len Lip Fong @ Land Lip Fong (IND)

3. Billy Joe Dominic (UPKO)

4. Bernard A Logijin (STAR)

5. Kuo Lee On (PBK)

6. Sabaria @ Sabariah Aziz (IND)

7. Sylvester Molukun (ASPIRASI)

8. Dr Edwin @ Jack Bosi (KDM)

9. Chin Ling Ling (PIS)

10. Datuk Jannie Lasimbang (PH-DAP)