IPOH: Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad will meet the Umno president on Wednesday (March 12) over the Ayer Kuning by-election.

Saarani said that he will meet Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to present findings from on-the-ground assessments of potential candidates.

“Out of the eight candidates, only two have withdrawn so far, while six remain in the running.

“We have yet to make a final decision, as we are conducting ground fielding through multiple organisations on the best choice among the six,” he said after officiating the state-level Women’s Day Celebration at Laman Seri Ridzuan on Saturday (March 8).

Also present were Saarani’s wife Datin Seri Aezer Zubin, who is also the Perak Baiduri chairman, state women, family, social welfare, cooperatives and entrepreneur development committee chairman Datuk Salbiah Mohamed, state housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng and state Deputy Speaker Jenny Choy.

On a separate matter, Saarani said there are no plans to relocate the dates of the state legislative assembly sitting, which is scheduled to take place from April 15 to April 19.

“I have not received any information indicating the need to reschedule. The state assembly and election matters are separate issues.

“Campaigning does not necessarily require the presence of assemblymen, as party members from across the country will be there to assist.

“If the speaker decides to proceed with the sitting on the scheduled dates, it should not be a problem, unless other considerations, such as safety factors, arise,” he said.

He also urged young voters to be wise in choosing the right representative.

“We appeal to them to vote because they will determine who the people’s representative is.

“This is different from a general election where the government’s formation is uncertain. Here, the government is already established, and the previous representative of Ayer Kuning was from the ruling party, enabling the area’s development,” he said.

In his speech, Saarani highlighted data indicating that 38% of chief executive officers and managing directors in the country are women, demonstrating the business world’s confidence in women’s leadership and strategic decision-making abilities.

“Even more impressive, Malaysia recorded 34.9% of chief financial officers among women, making our country one of the highest in Asia in this aspect.

“The role of women in the finance and accounting sector is no longer at the support level, but as the main leader in steering the financial direction of companies and industries.

“Therefore, we should continue to empower, support, and provide wider space for women, so that they can continue to progress and bring positive change to organisations, society, and the country,” he said.

However, he added that challenges still exist where women make up only 30% of researchers worldwide as reported by Unesco.

“In addition, women’s participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is still at a low level.

“This challenge is not only related to access to education and job opportunities, but also how we can create a more conducive ecosystem for women in technology and STEM fields.

“In addition, mentorship programmes and specific support for female students and professionals in STEM should be encouraged in this field that is still dominated by men,” he added.