The Barisan Nasional (BN) is expected to field more women candidates in  Sabah in the 13th general election in line with the coalition's policy to enhance women's participation in politics, said reliable sources.

Among potential candidates said to be shortlisted are state Wanita Umno chief Armani Mahiruddin, state Wanita MCA chief Agnes Shim, eminent teacher Mary Yap Kain Ching, Jornah Mozihim (Parti Bersatu Sabah or PBS), Semporna Umno Wanita chief Manis Muka Dara, Silam Wanita Umno chief Saleha Abdul Wahid, and Kalabakan Puteri Umno chief Noraini Abdul Ghapur.

In the 2008 general election, BN fielded six women candidates, including two for parliamentary seats, namely Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin (Umno), and Chua Soon Bui (Sabah Progressive Party or SAPP) for the Papar and Tawau parliamentary seats respectively.

The others who contested the state seats were Melanie Chia (SAPP/Luyang), Jainab Ahmad (Umno/Karambunai), Hamisa Samat (Umno/Tanjung Batu), and Anita Baranting (PBS/Tandek).

However, Chua and Melanie along with other SAPP leaders left the BN on Sept 17, 2008.

In 2010, the BN fielded PBS' Linda Tsen Thau Lin for the Batu Sapi parliamentary by-election and won with a 6,359-vote majority following the death of incumbent Edmund Chong Ket Wah, who was Tsen's husband.

Meanwhile, PBS Wanita chief Senator Jamilah Sulaiman said she was optimistic that more women candidates would be fielded in Sabah in the election.

- Bernama