By DAP Wanita Chief Chong Eng

The women’s wing of DAP is disappointed with the refusal of PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang to endorse PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah as Selangor Menteri Besar.

PAS under Hadi keeps changing its stand on the Selangor MB issue. From supporting Khalid to accepting the move to change Menteri Besar in the meeting of Pakatan Rakyat leaders to nominate Wan Azizah as the sole candidate for MB , now PKR deputy president Azmin Ali is nominated instead and Wan Azizah rejected on ground that she lacks capability as MB.

We are of the view that the reason is unacceptable. Hadi should have raised it when meeting with Pakatan Rakyat leaders to give PKR leaders a chance to state reasons for nominating Wan Azizah as MB.

Wan Azizah is an opthalmologist. She graduated from a renowned medical school. She leads the Reformasi campaign which she has led for more than 10 years. She may not be good in strategy and power play but she has perseverance. She stands up during difficult times and she is bold. She has integrity and no record of corruption. She is both strong and gentle which offers an alternative to the mainstream.

Such woman’s leadership style and quality has yet to be to recognized. This is also the reason women leadership is undervalued.

In our growing path, boys are often trained to be tough and girls to be gentle. Gentle does not mean one is without inner strength. Being soft spoken does not mean one is weak and unable to lead.

Hadi must remember that Wan Azizah is the candidate proposed by Pakatan Rakyat which also receives the support of 30 state assemblymen. Hadi questioning Wan Azizah capability is equivalent to questioning the decision of Pakatan Rakyat leaders and 30 state assemblymen.

Hadi’s act of doubting his peers’ capability in public reflects his disrespect of his peers. On this issue, his actions have split PAS and Pakatan Rakyat.

We urge Hadi to place emphasis on Pakatan Rakyat’s agenda, support Wan Azizah as the candidate for Selangor MB.