Bandar Seri Begawan - The stance for women's rights were among the topics that were brought forward yesterday during the 9th Legislative Council meeting (LegCo) by one of the two female members who called for a review in pensions for women who are eligible for this financial allowance.

Brought to light by Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Zasia binti Sirin, it was mentioned that those who were employed prior to the introduction of the Employee's Trust Fund (TAP) in 1993 were financially secured under a government pension scheme but it is only applicable to men.

The LegCo member, among the first women to take part in such proceedings, voiced that considerations should be taken to also provide eligible women folk who are part of the said demographic with the same financial privileges.

"If this can be taken into account - the altering of such a status - then equal rights among men and women can be achieved," she expressed and will further supplement the already existing opportunities that were introduced in 2008 such as the women's rights to claim education allowance for their children.

In responding to her suggestion, Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim requested for time to further look into the details and research the impact it will have on the government administration as a whole whilst clarifying that women who were in Division II are provided with pension whilst those in Division III are not.