Opposition woos women ahead of M'sia poll
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The women wings of the opposition coalition are wooing housewives with a pledge to give them 600 ringgit (Bt5,740) a year through a planned Housewives' Savings Fund.
This is among three schemes for women delivered as opposition campaign promises as Malaysia counts down to its 13th general election, the date for which will be no later than June 27.
The two others are a 1,000 ringgit-a-year child-care incentive covering those aged 12 and below and the setting up of a maid agency to reduce dependence on foreign maids.
Speaking at the press conference on Monday, PKR Wanita deputy chairman Rodziah Ismail said the coalition was concerned about the many challenges faced by women today.
“This offer is for all women to ensure their needs and welfare are taken care of,” she said.
DAP Wanita secretary Teo Nie Ching said that since 1999, 46 per cent of the workforce in Malaysia was made up of women, adding that neighbouring countries have more working women.
Quoting a 2010 survey, she said 67 per cent of women aged 18 to 60 are not working as they needed to take care of their family and children.“It is important to give such incentives to help them return to work,” she said.
