DAP Wanita today held its inaugural congress which would also see its leaders being elected for the first time, a line-up that is expected to lead the wing into the next general election.

Outgoing DAP Wanita chief Chong Eng said the wing's first congress and election was made possible after its membership grew several fold since the last general election.

"The people that voted DAP and Pakatan created a sea of change to the political environment in Malaysia - which inspired many women to join DAP in the last few years," she told delegates at the congress which was jointly held with the DAP Socialist Youth Congress in Kuala Lumpur.

Declaring that the party had come of age, Chong urged the wing's members to step up as election candidates.

"We want more women to step forward and become leaders... When you are identified as a potential candidate, please come forward, don't say you cannot.

"I have met many wanita comrades who have all the potential and NONE capability to become candidates but they are so shy, they have no confidence even though they have the capability," she said.

DAP Wanita which previously had insufficient members to hold its own congress and election, traditionally had its members appointed to the wing.

However, with the election today, several leaders including DAP Wanita vice chief Betty Chew ( left ) and secretary Teresa Kok are expected to make way for new faces.

Five-point plan

Chong Eng also outlined a five-point plan the wing plans to push for should Pakatan Rakyat capture federal power. They are:

  • Providing adequate child support for working women
  • Retrain housewives whose children are grown up for the work force
  • Set up a gender equality committee
  • Set up a stop violence against women committee
  • Amend discriminatory laws

A total of 248 of 803 Wanita delegates were present at the congress today.