Dr Ng to decide on which top post to contest in a few weeks - Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Aug 18, 2008

Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen is giving herself a few more weeks before deciding which post to contest in the upcoming party elections.

“I haven’t made my decision yet. I need a few more weeks to 'feel the ground' because 80% of the central delegates are men. This is very historical. Never has a woman participated in high-level party elections,” she told reporters yesterday after attending the Merdeka Unity Run at Dataran Merdeka.

“I must be very honest. It is one thing to think I am capable but another thing for the grassroots to overcome the gender angle. Some have told people they have no problems with my capabilities but they have a little problem with my being a woman.”

Dr Ng announced in July that she would not be defending her Wanita post and would contest for one of the top three party posts – president, deputy president or vice-president.

Her deputy Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun had recently announced that she would go for the top post in Wanita if there was a vacancy.

Dr Ng said yesterday Chew had her blessings to contest for the post, adding that Chew was among many women who had been groomed to take over the leadership in the women's wing.

She added that the party elections should be carried out in a healthy, friendly and gracious manner.

However, she said her focus for now would be on the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, where she is minister, and the Permatang Pauh by-election.

On Budget 2009, she said her ministry was trying to ensure that the poor and the vulnerable would be included in the social security net.