Media statement by Chong Eng in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, 8^th April 2012:

Najib's self appointment as women's minister is a betrayal of women's agenda

While DAP Wanita welcomes Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's appointment as Minister for Women, Family and Community Development as a move which says men can also lead women empowerment agenda, we are disappointed on two counts.

Firstly, the women ministry was established after many years of tireless campaign by DAP Wanita to pressure the Federal Government to elevate the women's affairs office under the Prime Minister's department to full fledge ministry. This will reflect the seriousness of the Federal Government to deal with issues facing women in our country. 10 years after the DAP Wanita's Tanjong Declaration which among others urge towards this goal, the Federal Government finally set up a Women's Affair Ministry in 2001. Today with the Prime Minister taking over the helm of the Ministry, we risk regressing back 10 years. The PM is already holding two key portfolios, the other being Finance Minister. How then can he still handle additional responsibilities as a Women, Family and Community Development Minister? This only demonstrate the lack of seriousness of Barisan Nasional towards women empowerment at a time when we are facing a stagnated development in terms of gender equality.

Secondly, we are disappointed that Najib himself is robbing women leaders within the government of one out of only two posts in the cabinet. Through his term, Najib only had 2 women Ministers among 30 Ministers. Now that he has taken away one post for women, there is only one left. Is Barisan Nasional devoid of quality women leaders able to take over the position? Or Najib is being insensitive to women in general by denying them a rightful opportunity to hold leadership position?

Najib's government is obviously taking women agenda very lightly. Women voters will punish Barisan Nasional in the next election because of this betrayal.

* Chong Eng, DAP Wanita Chairperson & MP for Bukit Mertajam