PENANG State Assembly Speaker Law Choo Kiang has applauded the Penang Women Development Corporation (PWDC) for organising the inaugural ‘Penang Women’s Assembly 2020’ which is also deemed as first of its kind in Malaysia.
It came just after the 14th State Assembly had concluded at the same venue on Monday.
Law said he had earlier proposed to state executive councillor Chong Eng to initiate a State Assembly proceeding specifically for women for them to speak up their minds and after two years of hard work, it has finally been realised.
“YB Chong Eng took up the challenge and with so much of dedication and commitment, she together with her team, has made this assembly possible.
“Prior to organising the assembly, I was informed that the PWDC had to conduct many meetings, workshops and roadshows. It is certainly not an easy task to come up with this event. Kudos once again to PWDC.
“Basically, the Malaysian political system consists of three branches, namely the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. And today all of you would be playing a part in the executive branch,” said Law during his speech at the opening ceremony of the assembly in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Law stated that the assembly is a place whereby, laws and policies concerning the state government are enacted, state’s annual budget debated, checks and balances practised and people’s plights voiced out.
He also said the agenda concerning women’s rights and welfare need to be heard so that it could be injected into all aspects of the state’s polices.
“It is important that women’s voice is heard and their inputs are included when legislating state’s laws or policies.
“With the experience that PWDC has, I hope that this women’s assembly would be held annually,” said Law, adding that the assembly should be documented by the PWDC.
A total of 40 participants representing each constituency in the state are taking part in the assembly and they will be tabling motion and debate issues involving their respective constituencies.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor Connie Tan, who is among the participants of the assembly, would be acting as the Chief Minister.
State executive councillor Chong Eng for Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs, who was the guest of honour at the assembly, said the mock state assembly was a great platform to expose women to the duties of a state representative.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi