A group of women rights NGOs today lamented the apparent glass ceiling facing woman politicians even though the country has been independent for more than half a century.

Selangor-based Empower said this appeared particularly true for PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who has yet to be installed as the state's menteri besar even though she has proven to command majority support in the state assembly.

"Women who choose to enter politics often face sexist double standards and are held accountable to higher standards. They frequently face demands to prove themselves over and above the norm.

"On the other hand, male counterparts with similar levels of experience go unquestioned and their qualifications are assumed," it said in a statement today.

The statement was also endorsed by All Women's Action Society (Awam), Perak Women for Women (PWW) and Sisters in Islam (SIS).

"Presently, the only current menteri besar candidate who commands majority support from the Selangor state assembly is Wan Azizah.

"Therefore, should a candidate who does not enjoy majority support be appointed as menteri besar, where does this leave the state assembly?" said the NGOs.

The coalition said this in response to the Selangor palace's insistent for more names even though PKR has decided to nominate Wan Azizah.

"In the context of an acute shortfall of women in decision-making positions nationwide, it reinforces public perception that any woman's aspiration for public office is completely out of the ordinary despite the fact that the state constitution itself is gender-neutral," they said.

On a separate matter, the groups also condemned the increased use of the Sedition Act 1948 in recent weeks despite Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak pledging to repeal the colonial era law in 2012.

"This stifling of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of information has had terrible consequences on our ability as a society to engage with differences constructively and make informed choices in our lives," said the NGOs.