Wanita Pakatan Rakyat, including the Dewan Muslimat of PAS, have jointly endorsed Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the next Selangor menteri besar.

The three women’s wings of PKR, DAP and PAS stated their unconditional support for Wan Azizah in a joint statement their chairpersons released today.

“We have come together to validate and reinforce our stand that Wan Azizah should be installed as the menteri besar of Selangor,” says the statement, signed by Zuraida Kamaruddin, Chong Eng and Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff ( right ).

“Yes, she is the wife of Anwar Ibrahim, the most wanted man by the government. (But) she is also a clean, courageous, accountable and corrupt-free leader who shares the same vision as patriotic Malaysians.”

The joint endorsement from Siti Zailah came as a surprise as PAS on Aug 17, apart from nominating Wan Azizah’s name to replace current menteri besar Khalid Ibrahim, also nominated PKR deputy president Azmin Ali for the post.

However, the Islamist party denied claims that the party was rejecting Wan Azizah as menteri besar because she is a woman.

Meanwhile, citing the opposition towards Wan Azizah becoming menteri besar although majority support was given to her, the women questioned whether she would face the same predicament if she was a man.

Why such disturbing opposition to woman MB?

“Why is there such disturbing opposition to a woman as menteri besar?

“When the state constitution itself supports no gender discrimination, then that clearly spells out that a woman can lead the state.”

Describing Wan Azizah as having the “strength of a rock”, they pointed out how she had, in the last 16 years, “taken blow after blow of unscrupulous attacks at her husband and her family”.

“Perpetually in the radar of BN cybertroopers, she has been subjected to ridicule, humiliation, and more viciously, character assassination.

“The choice to get up, shake off and walk away was always there. But her dedication to her family, party, Pakatan and Malaysia have only made her stronger and champion on in her struggle for justice, democracy and freedom."

Further describing Wan Azizah as a “model leader in the Malaysian political sphere”, they also took a dig at other women political leaders.

“She has never been implicated in awarding contracts to cronies, in AP permit scandals, cows-in-condominium scandals and she does not brag about lavish jewellery and handbags.

“She is a woman of substance and conscience and that is what Selangor and the nation need.”

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