Why GRC quota for women not a good idea

April 26, 2006
The Straits Times

I AM writing in response to the article, 'A woman minister? Only when there are enough women MPs' (The Sunday Times, April 23).

It was reported that in an essay she wrote before she was introduced as a new PAP candidate, Dr Fatimah Lateef 'called for more women to be represented in politics by requiring that in each GRC, one third of the members be women, one third men and the last one third to be of either gender'.

I can understand and appreciate the good intention behind such a suggestion. However, as Max Weber had pointed out astutely, bad consequences may sometimes arise from good intentions.

Do not be mistaken; I am in no way against having more female MPs in Parliament. However, it is my opinion that there would be three possible negative side-effects if the suggestion for one third of the candidates in GRCs to be female is implemented.

One, political parties may find themselves in the situation where they are 'forced' to put forth female candidates who are less capable so as to meet the one-third requirement.

Two, doubts may arise, among the public and perhaps among the female candidates themselves, over whether the candidacy of female candidates is based on their merit or on the need to fulfil the one-third requirement.

Three, it could lead to a situation where equally or more capable potential male candidates are not chosen because the 'quota' for male candidates has been reached.

In the end, there are many ways to increase the number of female MPs in Parliament but a 'quota' system based on gender, if implemented, would most likely lead to greater harm than good.

Anyway, what is important is the quality of the candidates and not the quantity.

Loh Choong Chiat