As opposition leaders debate on who should be named as Pakatan Harapan's prime minister candidate if the coalition wins the next polls, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is the sole woman on the list.

However, she is expected to be an interim prime minister until her husband Anwar Ibrahim becomes eligible to take over the reins.

According to PKR Wanita communications chief Carolyn Khor, there is an apparent inertia when it comes to gender equality in Malaysia's political landscape.

“There is still a void which nobody, especially Muslim women dare to even think about,” she said.

Emphasising the need for alternative plans, Khor also pointed out that Wan Azizah's role as interim prime minister must be strengthened further to propel women's agenda into the next millennia.

She noted that the race for the PM candidate is still between heavyweights like Anwar, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Dr Mahathir Mohamad and to a leasser degree, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and his deputy Mukhriz Mahathir.

“As much as (PKR vice-president) Rafizi Ramli wants to be part of the PM candidate nominees, he still has much to achieve in terms of rallying for united support from the grassroots, something that (PKR deputy president) Azmin Ali keeps close to his chest.

“What is really missing in this less than perfect race for the top post is the lack of women representation. What this country needs is a choice of credible and influential women leaders that will enhance and give new life to the political scenario in Malaysia,” she added.

Khor said women leaders such as PKR Wanita chief and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin or PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah, who is also Lembah Pantai MP, should be presented as possible choices for the prime minister post.

“Even if this is not viable for now, women leaders should still be given an opportunity at it to allow the voters time to warm-up to the idea of having a woman PM in the future. Ultimately, the voters have the final say, but it is the political pact's responsibility to provide this choice to voters.

“In line with this, there should also be a choice of women candidates presented for the posts of menteri besar and chief minister,” she added.

Khor said that women often shied away from leadership positions, and therefore those who have managed to climb up the ranks should be supported, especially by women.

“How many women are willing to sacrifice their family time and other goals simply to pursue justice for the public?

“If Harapan is to be any different from BN, presenting women as PM, MB and CM candidates will definitely be a giant step forward. We need to drive home the point of empowering women to stamp out inequality in our society,” she added.