TAWAU: The voice and role of women in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) are seen as crucial elements that must be reinforced ahead of the upcoming State Election (PRN).
GRS Supreme Council member Datuk Rina Jainal said that GRS leadership has assured the protection of all current female representatives, as well as considering additional seats for female candidates in this PRN.
“It has been communicated that all seats held by female representatives will be defended. There are also proposals to add around 10 seats for female candidates,” she said.
Rina mentioned that this step reflects GRS’s commitment to ensuring that women’s voices continue to resonate in governance and state policy-making.
“We want to ensure that there is always a woman’s voice in the Assembly. That is important because women’s roles in conveying community perspectives are significant,” she said.
Regarding the chances of being nominated again, she noted that confidence is not solely based on experience but is also supported by work performance and positive feedback from the local community.
“There is indeed confidence, based on how we work and the response from the people. However, the final decision still depends on the higher leadership,” she said.
Rina added that GRS is also expected to evaluate candidates based on their ability to provide strong competition in their respective areas, including among female candidates.
“Certainly, they will consider candidates who can compete, as everyone is fighting fairly for their opportunities,” she said.
She hopes that the increase in the number of female candidates will not only strengthen gender balance in Sabah’s politics but also symbolise GRS’s readiness to produce more capable female leaders in the future.
Source – Sabah
