GEORGE TOWN, 10 Dec 2020:
Penang aims to be the first state to have 30% women representation in its state legislative assembly.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this initiative is part of the state government’s efforts to realise its vision for gender equality and social justice.
He said the move will be implemented via the Top-Up Women Only Additional Seats (TWOAS) system, which would ensure the legislative assembly is made up of 30% women via nomination, if necessary.
Chow said this will be done after the 15th general election. “For example, if we have 12 or more women assemblymen elected (in GE15), then TWOAS will not be needed because we would have already have 30% or more women assemblymen.
“But if we only have six women assemblymen like now, then we will add the numbers by nominating nine women assemblymen to make it 15 or 30.5% of the total 49 assemblymen,” he told a media conference here today.
Presently, the Penang assembly comprises 40 representatives and amendments to the state constitution would be done to add more non-elected representatives, he said.
Chow said the nominated female assemblymen would not be limited to the party that forms the state government, but would also be fairly represented by opposition parties.
He said TWOAS is a democratic system that would reflect the latest political composition in the assembly based on the percentage of votes obtained by their respective political parties during the election.
“Political parties are required to nominate TWOAS candidates from women who have participated in gender advocacy workshops. The list of TWOAS candidates must reflect diversity in terms of ethnicity, age and so on.”
Separately in KUALA KANGSAR, the swearing-in of Perak Menteri Besar ceremony – which has been held three times since GE14 – has been described as a reflection of leadership failure among the assemblymen in securing solid support to enable them to focus their mind and energy to serve in the best interest of the people.
The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, said the three MB swearing-in ceremonies had also created a new history for the Perak State Assembly.
“However, this is not a history to be proud of, it will be recorded in history as a reflection of failure, not a success,” he said at the swearing-in ceremony of Kota Tampan assemblyman Datuk Saarani Mohamad as the 14th Menteri Besar of Perak at Istana Iskandariah here today.
The Sultan said the people of all races and religions in all state constituencies in Perak, either represented by Perikatan Nasional (PN) or Pakatan Harapan (PH) assemblymen, are having the same needs and hopes, suffering from similar struggles and seeking the same attention.
“You were elected as assemblymen because the people trusted you, they were hoping that you will help them improve their living conditions, provide them with necessary services, improve their economic status, and fulfil, as much as possible, their social needs.”
Sultan Nazrin said the people, especially the low-income earners and the poor or those who have lost their job and income due to the Covid-19 pandemic, should not be left to suffer or “die as a mousedeer caught in the fight of two elephants”.
“Allah will always answer the prayers of those who are persecuted by others, so do not persecute people just because you are engulfed by emotions, revenge and rigid political thinking,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin said a righteous man would persevere in enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong because as he knows that Allah will be his strength, protection and defence.
“He needs not to offer a bribe or an inducement to gain support and loyalty, and he needs not to intimidate or threaten anyone to build his strength.”
The ruler said a person’s true colours will prevail when he gets a position, power and wealth to the extent of changing himself from being modest and humble to being arrogant and haughty.
“Remember, the higher the position of a person is, the farther he can see from where he stands. But he must not ever get carried away and let the beautiful blue sky make him forget the grass under his feet, which may have turned brown and gone dormant for not being watered for so long.”
In his speech, Sultan Nazrin also expressed his gratitude to Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu for his service as Menteri Besar since May 12, and also to all the former state executive councillors for their deeds and contribution throughout their tenure.
The sultan also expressed appreciation to the members of the media who, rain or shine, had flocked to Istana Kinta in Ipoh to responsibly provide news and information to the people.
“Thank you to all police personnel who had helped control the situation to enable everybody to discharge their duties in an organised and proper manner.”
– Bernama