While Gerakan's call for more women candidates is worthy, it is lamentably for the wrong reasons, said DAP youth leader Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud.

"In Pakatan Harapan, we encourage intelligent, dedicated and brave young women to join politics because they are capable, patriotic and hardworking; making them winnable despite their physical attributes.

"Meanwhile, the Gerakan leader and many others who are on his side of the fence prefer to sexually objectify women in politics with cheap rhetoric as if the Malaysian voters vote according to their sexual urges instead of their brains," said Dyana in a statement today.

She was responding to Gerakan's annual general assembly yesterday where she was referred to as nothing but a "young Malay girl".

Gerakan legal and human rights bureau chief Baljit Singh in his speech urged the party to field more young, sexy women to boost their chances at the ballot box.

The party won only one parliamentary seat in the last general election, and won one more when party president Mah Siew Keong defeated Dyana by a razor-thin margin in the Teluk Intan by-election.

"I appreciate the fact that he wants to encourage youth and women participation in Malaysian politics, however, Baljit Singh has a very different idea compared to DAP and Pakatan Harapan," said the DAP Youth executive member.

'Not decorative flower pots'

Baljit yesterday said of Dyana, "They (DAP) put a young Malay girl there (in Teluk Intan).

"I saw her as a young Malay girl; I didn't see anything else."

Dyana said Baljit's comments show "how little he thinks of young women’s capabilities".

"In DAP and Pakatan Harapan, young women are empowered and given opportunities to represent all Malaysians, as well as participate meaningfully in politics rather than become 'decorative flower pots' merely to increase the aesthetical value of campaign photo, as the Gerakan leader seems to imply."

Dyana agreed with her colleagues, who yesterday rained scorn on Baljit's comments, which she said "reinforces the chauvinistic and misogynistic perception of women in politics".

"This is among many reasons why talented young women stay away from politics, because they are constantly sexually objectified by people like Baljit Singh and other leaders from BN."

Amanah Youth vice chief Shazni Munir yesterday remarked Gerakan should exit politics and start a modelling agency instead.

Baljit in response to the backlash yesterday claimed his comments had been "misinterpreted" because they did not know "the whole story" behind his remarks.

Youth chief to defence

Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang echoed Baljit, maintaining the bureau chief was merely referring to Gerakan member Kak Azmar in his speech.

"He was referring to Kak Azmar. He was trying to encourage Gerakan to field more women.

"I don't see how people can call him sexist," Tan told Malaysiakini today.