THE Penang government remains committed to strengthening efforts to increase women’s participation in political leadership and the state’s administrative institutions.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state aspires to achieve at least 30% women’s representation in leadership positions and decision-making roles by 2030.
“The state government believes that sustainable development cannot be achieved without the meaningful participation of women at every level of leadership and decision-making.
“As such, this target is not merely about achieving a number but reflects our commitment to ensuring that more women are given the opportunity, platform and confidence to contribute to policy-making and the overall direction of the state’s development.
“To achieve this goal, we must nurture a new generation of women leaders equipped with the knowledge, confidence, experience and courage to step forward,” Chow said in his speech during the prize presentation ceremony of the 2026 Penang Chief Minister’s Women’s Debate Competition at the Jen Hotel in George Town today.
Also present were Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng, Penang Women’s Assembly Alumni Association (ASWIP) chairlady Dr Lalitha Ramasamy, and the competition’s project director Noor Zamzuraida Noordin Ahli.
Speaking about the programme, Chow said this year’s competition received an overwhelming response, with more than 50 women registering to participate.
“However, only the top 30 participants were selected to undergo three intensive debate workshops before advancing to today’s competition.
“This approach demonstrates that developing quality talent requires a structured process and continuous guidance.
“Through training sessions conducted in smaller groups, participants were able to receive close mentorship from professional facilitators in areas such as research, argument construction, public speaking and critical thinking,” he said.
Chow also expressed hope that his successor would continue pursuing the state’s aspiration of implementing a 30% women’s quota in the Penang State Legislative Assembly.
“One initiative that I regret was not realised during my tenure is the implementation of a 30% quota for women in the State Legislative Assembly. Perhaps at the time, we were too ambitious because 30% is not a fixed number and changes according to the number of seats.
“That is the problem. Looking back, I think it was too ambitious and too difficult to achieve.
“Even today, several states have amended their constitutions to increase the number of appointed state assemblymen, allowing individuals to be appointed directly without contesting in elections.
“However, in retrospect, what we attempted previously could not be achieved due to various constraints, and society was simply not ready to embrace such a proposal,” he explained.
Nevertheless, Chow stressed that the Penang government had made every effort to advance the agenda but acknowledged that the journey must continue.
“We have laid the groundwork, but this struggle must go on. I hope my successor will continue this effort and eventually turn into reality what I was unable to accomplish during my term in office,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Law Suun Ting