Selangor Journal
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A general view of Penang on Aug 28, 2020. — Picture by BERNAMA

Penang introduces ‘TWOAS’ to achieve 30 pct women representation in State Assembly

GEORGE TOWN, Dec 10 — Penang aims to be the first state to have 30 per cent women representation in its State Legislative Assembly.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this initiative is part of the state government’s efforts to realise its vision for gender equality and social justice.

He said the move will be implemented via the Top-Up Women Only Additional Seats (TWOAS) system, which would ensure the legislative assembly is made up of 30 per cent women via nomination, if necessary.

Chow said this will be done after the 15th general election.

“For example, if we have 12 or more women assemblymen elected (in GE15), then TWOAS will not be needed because we would already have 30 per cent or more women assemblymen.

“But if we only have six women assemblymen like now, then we will add the numbers by nominating nine women assemblymen to make it 15 or 30.5 per cent of the total 49 assemblymen,” he told a media conference here today.

Presently, the Penang assembly comprises 40 representatives and amendments to the state constitution would be done to add more non-elected representatives, he said.

Chow said the nominated female assemblymen would not be limited to the party that forms the state government, but would also be fairly represented by opposition parties.

He said TWOAS is a democratic system that would reflect the latest political composition in the assembly based on the percentage of votes obtained by their respective political parties during the election.

“Political parties are required to nominate TWOAS candidates from women who have participated in gender advocacy workshops. The list of TWOAS candidates must reflect diversity in terms of ethnicity, age and so on,” he said.

— Bernama

 

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