M'sian opposition wooing housewives

Kuala Lumpur (The Star/ANN) - The women wings of the opposition front are wooing housewives with a pledge to give them 600 ringgit (US$196) a year through a planned Tabung Simpanan Surirumah (House-wives' Savings Fund).

This is among three schemes for women the Opposition have promised.

The two others are a 1,000 ringgit-a-year child care incentive for those aged 12 and below and the setting up of a maid agency to reduce dependence on foreign maids.

Leaders of the three women's wings announced this at a joint press conference here yesterday.

PAS Muslimat deputy head Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said this was their way to acknowledge the role and sacrifices made by women.

"We will implement this should we take over the Federal Government," she said.

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% 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% 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.

Of the more than 13.3 million voters in the country, about half are women.

Source: Asianews Network. 

Jarumemas: Just an empty promises.