KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Umno chief Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad has called on the government to establish a Women’s Economic Council to chart the direction and agenda of the women’s economy at national level.
Noraini’s suggestion came on the heels of the World Happiness Index 2018, released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network on March this year, which placed Malaysia at 35th spot out of 156 countries.
Noraini, who is also Parit Sulong member of parliament, said the report would not have been as favourable to Malaysia if the policies of the previous Barisan Nasional were flawed or ineffective.
“The 2019 Budget, which can also be termed as the ‘Elitist Budget’, is also seen as paying back the 50.1 per cent of people who supported Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the 14th general election, and punishing those who had supported BN, especially those in the rural areas.
“I am disappointed that there has been no holistic and comprehensive women’s agenda in the 2019 Budget. This is despite PH, in its election manifesto, having stressed on the importance of having a national economic system that is favourable to women,” she said in a statement.
Noraini said the government has to ensure that the political, economic and social agenda, especially those involving the Malays and Bumiputera, continue to be preserved and upheld.
“At the same time, the government must also state clearly its economic framework to uphold economic justice for the Malays and Bumiputera, and ensure that the resolutions formed during the Congress on the Future of the Bumiputera and the Nation is seen through, for the sake of the Malays and Bumiputera,” she said.