KUCHING, 22 April 2025 – The 4th Meeting of the Coordination Committee of Women Parliamentarians of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (WAIPA) officially began today at the Damai Lagoon Resort in Kuching, Sarawak. The event marks an important milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen the role of women in ASEAN’s political and parliamentary landscape.
The opening ceremony saw welcoming remarks from H.E. Ar. Siti Rozaimeriyanty, the Secretary-General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), who underscored the significance of this meeting in promoting gender equality and empowering women parliamentarians in the region. She was followed by a keynote address from H.E. Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr.) Johari bin Abdul, Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of AIPA, who highlighted the critical need for greater female representation in ASEAN parliaments.
One of the most notable addresses came from the Right Honourable Premier of Sarawak, who reaffirmed his support for the meeting’s objectives, emphasizing the importance of collective action in enhancing women’s leadership and representation in the political arena.
The gathering serves as a vital platform for exchanging ideas, discussing strategies, and developing initiatives aimed at fostering women’s leadership in legislative bodies across Southeast Asia. The committee’s efforts are pivotal in ensuring that women continue to play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of ASEAN nations.
Distinguished figures at the event included H.E. Senator Dato Awang Bemee bin Awang Ali Basah, President of the Senate, Datuk Amar Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier of Sarawak, H.E. Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Speaker of the State Assembly of Sarawak, and Alice Lau Kiong Yieng, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Their presence underlines the commitment of the government of Sarawak to support gender equality and women’s active involvement in politics.
As the meeting unfolds, the ASEAN women parliamentarians will continue their efforts in advancing policies that promote the empowerment of women and girls throughout the region, reaffirming their important role in the political spheres of their respective countries. – Sarawakku
