LETTER | As we take stock of the country's political stalemate since the quitting of Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister after his two-decade prime ministership, much soul searching is needed.

Indeed when Mahathir decided to call it a day way back in 2003, we could have had an able, seasoned politician in the likes of former minister Rafidah Aziz as our prime minister.

But it did not happen.

Is anti-feminism so deeply rooted in our paternalistic societal fabric so much so that we failed to see the gift of leadership in a woman?

As we today review Rafidah's consistent viewpoints and her no-holds-barred style of calling a spade a spade, in hindsight, we can acknowledge that we lost that opportunity to bask under the tested and proven leadership of a woman.

Not just a leader but true leadership.

Despite her track record performance and the not to be dismissed international label of "Iron Lady of Malaysia", the political male-dominated Umno could not think of a female leading the nation.

And so we ended up saddled with a mounting political stalemate - a price we are still paying after four prime ministerial changes since 2003.

We have lost so much traction when we could have joined the progressive ranks of Germany, New Zealand, Iceland, Finland, Norway and Denmark - countries that found their hope in a woman to lead their nations and people.

If one argued that it's a western tradition and we are Asian, then let them be reminded that even Taiwan has a woman leader.

But with hope not lost in this darkening political confusion, Rafidah can still be counted upon as the saviour for she is capable and only in her seventies. 

A lady who was the teacher of many politicians through her university days, Rafidah is politically seasoned - here and in the international circuit.

Her hallmark courage echoes social, economic and political wisdom. Her integrity is not tainted despite the political traps of plotters.

Above all, she is a woman with the innate ability to put the healing emotions back in place into the soul of this battered nation.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.