THE Top-Up Women-Only Additional Seats (TWOAS) initiative has been well received by assemblymen from both the state government and Opposition, says Chong Eng, the state executive councillor for non-Islamic Religious Affairs and Social Development.
Chong Eng (PH-Padang Lalang) said the TWOAS initiative was introduced in state’s legislature in 2020 following the implementation of 30% quota at Village Community Management Council (MPKK), both the Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai City Council, and the state agencies.
It was introduced by the state government to ensure that there are 30% of women representation in the State Assembly.
“I would like to convey my thanks to H’ng Mooi Lye (PH-Jawi), Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Seri Delima), Nor Hafizah (BN-Permatang Berangan), Satees Muniandy (PH-Bagan Dalam), Mohd. Tuah Ismail (PH-Pulau Betong), Goh Choon Aik (PH-Bukit Tambun), and Lim Siew Khim (PH-Sungai Pinang) for supporting our initiative.
“I also would like to urge all the political parties here to at least have 30% of women representation of their candidates in the upcoming general election.
“I would like to also commend the state government for their bold move concerning the TWOAS initiative,” said Chong Eng during her winding-up speech yesterday.
Chong Eng also said the initiative is not a ‘free ticket’ to be part of the State Assembly, but instead it would ensure that there would not be any misuse of the system.
“TWOAS candidates will be selected from the list of candidates submitted by the political party.
“The system is similar to the ‘Party List’ implemented in Germany, Taiwan and New Zealand.
“Thus, the TWOAS candidates are also the representatives elected by the people indirectly and it involves a democratic process as well.
“The White Paper on the Top-Up Women-Only Additional Seats (TWOAS) initiative is ready and we have distributed it to all the assemblymen,’’ she added.
Chong Eng also welcomed the suggestion put forth by Dr Afif Bahardin (Bersatu-Seberang Jaya) to include other minority groups in the TWOAS initiative.
“But now, let us focus on the TWOAS initiative for the womenfolk first,’’ she added.
Meanwhile, Daniel Gooi (PH-Pengkalan Kota) also suggested for the assembly to come up with a session particularly to discuss matters related to women and family.
The public can get a copy of the White Paper at the PWDC office and the offices of state executive councillors or at PWDC’s website ( https://pwdc.org.my/ ).
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Alissala Thian