TAWAU, Sept 15 — More women leaders In Sabah should be given posts including as appointed state assemblymen if Barisan Nasional (BN) and its allies win the Sabah state election on Sept 26 to form the state government, said BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said this would be appropriate recognition for the contributions of women leadership in the state.

"Of course, I am disappointed (over lack of women candidates) but there are several appointed posts that can be given to women leaders,” he added.

He said this at a gathering with the BN candidates for the Tanjung Batu and Kukusan state seats and a meeting with the party machinery in the Banyan polling district centre at Taman King Fook here last night.

Ahmad Zahid said the matter of appointed posts would be discussed with BN allies, including Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and PAS.

He said it is important for the party machinery to reach out to voters to ensure BN and its partners win the election, which is seeing multi-cornered fights in all the 73 seats.

There are 43 women among the 447 candidates in the Sabah state election. The women candidates include two from Umno, one from MCA, two from PN and one from PBS. — Bernama