THE participation of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in a dialogue session with participants of the ‘Unconscious Bias & Women Representation in State Leadership Workshop’ at St Giles Wembley Hotel today has left a strong and positive impression on them.
Women’s issues obviously dominated the over one-hour dialogue in which Chow was posed several questions in the Q&A session. The session, which was moderated by Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng, was attended by 48 participants, including two men.
Universiti Utara Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Ummu Atiyah Ahmad Zakuan said she was very surprised that a person of the chief minister’s stature would join in the women’s programme.
“Many leaders would have refused to come to an event if there are fewer than 100 in the audience, but yet a top gun like him was willing to spend his time with us,” Dr Ummu Atiyah, who hails from Kedah, said.
“His presence shows the Penang government’s commitment to empowering women. His presence speaks volumes.
“And I see he has full faith and trust on YB Chong Eng (the state executive councillor for Women & Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Religions Other Than Islam) and her division to spearhead changes to achieve more gender equality in the state. He has expressed his commitment on this matter.
“We see Penang as an example in championing this issue. And we hope other states can emulate Penang’s efforts.”
Another participant, Rose Kuan, a corporate director of Shan Poornam Sdn Bhd, shared Dr Ummu Atiyah’s views.
“The chief minister is very supportive of the event and honest with his answers. I’m glad to be here and learn so much from so many great leaders, from one another and it’s time to contribute back to the society,” she said.
Also present were Chong Eng and Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, with Roslina Chai, Datuk Dr Florence Sinniah and Tong Bee Yoke as the speakers.
Asked by Ong why he strongly supports the Gender Inclusiveness Policy, making Penang the first state in Malaysia to do so, Chow said that promoting a gender-balanced management by achieving the ratio of 40:40:20 or 40% women, 40% men and 20% open for both men or women, especially in leadership positions, is an enhancement to the 30% quota that the state had aimed for.
He said when he launched the Penang2030 vision last year, the emphasis was on creating a family-focused, green and smart state that inspires the nation. Chong Eng and the PWDC, Chow added, were given the mandate to actualise the family-focused matters.
“We’re working on various strategic initiatives. Next year, I believe we will come out with more content and more projects to make it real to the people and to achieve the vision,” Chow said.
He said perhaps the seed of gender equality was sown to him when he carpooled with Chong Eng to attend Parliament from 1999 to 2008.
“The journey was long and there was a lot of conversation. I was the driver and who could stop Chong Eng from talking (about gender issues)? Perhaps, the seed was sown at that time,” Chow said to the laughter of the participants.
Chow said the state would work towards fulfilling the 30% quota of appointing women as councillors for both Penang island and Seberang Perai by the end of the year.
At present, Penang is also the first state to set up the Family and Women Development Committee (JPWK) in all of its 40 constituencies in which 15 women have been appointed to each JPWK to organise development programmes for women folk and the family unit.
Chow, who also suggested that PWDC organise a workshop for men, advised everyone concerned to put in a lot of hard work to achieve gender inclusiveness.
On a personal level, Chow said he had not experienced any biases on gender matters but felt that unconscious bias could stem from culture-related issues and the way one was brought up.
“I am someone who dislikes discrimination. I do not want to show favouritism to a certain ethnic group. I will do more for someone who is left out and less for someone who isn’t.
“Even in a function, I would approach he or she who is in a corner. I want to treat people fairly. I don’t want people to accuse me of being unfair,” he said.
Chong Eng thanked Chow for making effort to attend the dialogue despite his tight schedule.
“It’s good of the CM to come and meet up with the established women leaders in their respective fields. This is a close encounter, and we can get to know what role he wants women to play in Penang2030 vision,” Chong Eng said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi