The democratic party for the election of the mayoral and vice mayoral candidates (Cawali-Cawawali) for Malang City is still in 2013. However, the aroma has begun to be smelled now. This time, statements of support came from women, who are ready to support a female leader to become the number one person in Malang City.
This was conveyed by a member of the East Java DPRD, for the electoral district (Dapil) of Malang Raya (Malang City, Batu City and Malang Regency), Sumiati, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).
According to Sumiati, if there is a female figure who will run to become Mayor of Malang, she, along with women, is ready to be at the forefront to support her. "I will fully support her," she emphasized before she was going to fill the seminar and workshop held by the East Java Indonesian Nationalist Women's Forum (FPNI), Saturday (03/12/2011), at the Mandala Puri Hotel, Malang City.
When asked why she is ready to support a woman to become the Mayor of Malang? Sumiati explained that now is the time for women to lead. "Now is the right moment to optimize the role of women in all lines. So far, the role of women has shown extraordinary progress. Different from the New Order era," she added.
Sumiati added, in Malang Regency, which is the largest area of TKI, the majority are women. "There is no prohibition on a woman becoming a TKI, but various things must be prepared so that after arriving in the destination country there is no discrimination or other violence. Established human resources for women must be strengthened immediately. The human resources must be qualified and have sufficient ability or knowledge to become TKI," she continued.
When asked how women can be more free and proactive in moving in the political sector and have the same position as men, Sumiati answered that they must first resolve domestic issues. "Resolve domestic issues, family issues, husbands and children, then you can enter the political realm," she explained.
Furthermore, regarding the support for a female figure to become the Mayor of Malang, Sumiati is ready to oversee and be at the forefront to support the female figure. Don't let women lose to the role of men. "That is the role of women with a gender perspective. Currently, I am being diligent in women to be more proactive in their social movements," she continued.
While being asked about her readiness to run for Mayor of Batu City, which will take place in 2012, Sumiati was reluctant to reveal further. She left it entirely up to the party. "I do what the party says. If the party entrusts me, then I must be ready," she said briefly.
In Malang City and Batu City, it is already widely known among the general public, who will advance as a candidate for Mayor, for Malang City, there is Heri Pudji Utami, the wife of the Mayor of Malang, Peni Suparto, and Sri Rahayu, who is currently a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, from the Malang Raya electoral district. In Batu City, the most widely known is still the current Mayor, Eddy Rumpoko.
In addition, the event attended by Sumiati was a workshop held by FPNI East Java. The event was themed "Increasing Women's Participation in Optimizing Regional Development in East Java with a Gender Perspective". "The results of this workshop will be brought to the East Java Provincial Government later," said the Workshop Organizing Committee, Tri Setia Rini.
Present at the event were representatives from all regions in East Java. "Each region, there are 2 representatives present. This is purely in the interests of empowering the role of women in each region in East Java, and there are no other factors," he concluded. (say/dmb)
