MP selection should not be based on gender, says Dr Koh - Todayonline.com, 21 Jan 2013
SINGAPORE — Selecting a Member of Parliament (MP) involves choosing someone to serve the “needs of a wide spectrum of the population” and, thus, “gender shouldn’t really play a role”, said Dr Koh Poh Koon, the People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate for the Punggol East by-election.
During the Workers’ Party (WP) Rally on Saturday, WP Chairman Sylvia Lim had urged voters to put another woman in Parliament, saying there were already many male MPs from the PAP, a clear reference to Dr Koh.
Asked about this yesterday, Dr Koh said: “All MPs should take care of different segments of the demographics equally well. So, I think the selection should not be based on gender per se and I think, even at this present moment, we are all trying our best to also take care of different segments — women, children, elderly and the youths as well,” said Dr Koh, 40. Link
GE: PAP Women's Wing calls for more women participation in Parliament - Channelnewsasia.com, 23 Apr 2011
The PAP Women's Wing is calling for more women participation in Parliament - to make up at least 30 per cent.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua said this at the launch of the Women's Wing's new vision, mission and logo on Saturday.
She said as more women take on leadership positions in work and business, she hopes the trend is reflected in Parliament as well.
"We have a trend of more and more women in leadership positions, so that tells us that women are (becoming) more capable of contributing to the future of Singapore. And how do we then tap that - that exposure, that ability to contribute at different levels, so hopefully we can move up to 30 or 33 per cent," said Mrs Lim. Link