THE Top-Up Women-Only Additional Seats (TWOAS) is a 3-in-1 initiative that can increase women’s representation in the state legislative assembly, is fair to all parties and can create a more dynamic state legislative assembly, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
TWOAS was launched by the Penang government on Dec 10 last year. A TWOAS special committee, led by Penang Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng, has been set up.
The TWOAS initiative is scheduled to be tabled in the year-end state legislative assembly session this year.
“When we discuss about women’s representation in the state legislative assembly, local governments or even in government linked companies (GLCs), we have to remember that the principles are the same as the academic and job opportunities provided for women.
“The Penang government would like to emphasise its commitment on women’s empowerment agenda which includes gender inclusiveness.
“We take the recommendations and international declarations pertaining to women’s rights, especially from the Beijing Platform for Action, very seriously,” he said during the TWOAS online stakeholders’ engagement session today which was held via Zoom.
The Beijing Platform for Action is known as a one of the most progressive blueprints for elevating women’s rights. Governments from around the world agreed on the blueprint during the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace, which was convened by the United Nations in 1995.
Chow said that it is difficult for political parties to implement the gender quota under the current First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system which adopts the single-member constituencies.
“The Article 117 of the Federal Constitution determines that elections are to be based on single-member constituencies or district system (sistem daerah).
“After much in-depth research, we introduce TWOAS. We do not have to amend Article 117 of the Federal Constitution. A two-third majority in the state legislative assembly is enough to amend Article 14 of the Penang State Constitution,” Chow said.
He said that TWOAS will only be implemented if the percentage of women elected representatives is less than 30%.
Chow had mentioned before that the implementation of TWOAS was meant to ‘top up’ the percentage of women’s representation to 30% in the august House.
Several state assemblymen, MPs and local government councillors also took part in the engagement session and gave their views.
Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin proposed that TWOAS should have a sunset clause as he said that any quota could hinder progress. The proposal to have a sunset clause was also suggested by Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai.
Sim also cautioned the possible concentration of power and some parties might make use of the system to gain advantage.
“The women representatives through TWOAS have no state constituencies, hence, they have lesser responsibilities and are less influential. There is a chance of creating two castes,” he said.
Sim added that the women candidates who have lost in the election should not be nominated for TWOAS.
Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee said TWOAS might be the cause for women candidates in the election to receive lesser votes.
Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) councillor Ong Jing Cheng also voiced his concern if the system could be misused.
Nevertheless, the participants in the engagement session generally agreed to the initiative to increase women’s representation.
Chong Eng thanked the participants for their views and concerns.
“We are open to receiving suggestions and ideas to make this TWOAS initiative better.
“The objective of TWOAS is to have more women representatives in the state legislative assembly to highlight issues concerning women and family.
“Women represent 50% of the population and there are more women in poverty than men. Women are also more vulnerable,” she said.
Chong Eng mentioned that Penang currently has 15% women’s representation in the state legislative assembly, as compared to Perlis (27%), Selangor (21%) and Johor (16%).
“We need to have better policies to support victims of domestic violence and those from broken families,” Chong Eng added.
Political scientist Prof Dr Wong Chin Huat said the proposed TWOAS initiative is a bold step to greater change.
“The initiative has greater impact beyond only women issues. It can help create a more dynamic state legislative assembly. It is Penang2030 at work,” he said.
Chow said the Penang government has taken a very significant step forward and it welcomes all views.
“This stakeholders’ session will not be confined to only Penang. It can reach out to a wider audience including those in other states and countries as it is being held on the online platform.
“The public are most welcome to share their views with us,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting