Penanti rep replaces Afif as Penang exco
The Penang government has announced Penanti assemblyperson Norlela Ariffin as the new state executive councillor.
Norlela replaces Dr Afif Bahardin, who resigned from his post last Thursday, due to political struggle in his party...
The Penang government has announced Penanti assemblyperson Norlela Ariffin as the new state executive councillor.
Norlela (photo) replaces Dr Afif Bahardin, who resigned from his post last Thursday, due to political struggle in his party.
In his announcement in Komtar today, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Norlela's name was suggested by PKR.
She will now hold the portfolio of agriculture, agro-industries, rural development and health.
"The swearing-in ceremony for Norlela would be on March 12 at the Penang governor's residence in Seri Mutiara," Chow said.
Norlela, a two-term assemblyperson, is often vocal about state governance, especially in her constituency, which falls under Permatang Pauh.
Her complaint about illegal factories in Penanti led to MACC investigations and the arrest of state exco for environment Phee Boon Poh.
Norlela was one of the five PKR assemblypersons who abstained from voting against Umno's motion on reclamation in Penang.
'Well qualified, experienced'
Upon hearing the happy news, the Women's Centre for Change programme director Karen Lai congratulated Norlela on her appointment and commended the state government on this "historical step" towards increasing women’s representation in the state exco.
She said Norlela is a well qualified, experienced and capable candidate, while she has a proven track record of innovation in her constituency.
"She holds a PhD in the field of science and innovation. Her passion and ability to think outside the box has resulted in her pioneering groundbreaking projects for the citizens of the rural area of Penanti."
Lai cited the Penang International Paddy Festival, organised by Norlela in Penanti, which received the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Green Initiatives Excellence Award 2019, and the Penanti Food Bank Project.
"She is also dedicated to promoting women’s and gender issues, serving on the board of directors of the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) since 2011 and currently heading the women’s wing of the Permatang Pauh PKR branch," she added.
Lai recalled that for the last 12 years since Pakatan Harapan took over Penang in 2008, there has never been more than one woman in the Penang exco.
Before this, the only woman out of a total of 11 members in the Penang exco is Chong Eng, who holds the portfolios of women and family development, gender inclusiveness and religions other than Islam.
"This amounts to nine percent women’s representation in the exco, which is far short of the Penang government’s declared goal of 40:40:20 in gender representation at all levels in line with its policy of gender inclusiveness," Lai said.
"Access to a larger pool of state funds and resources and therefore, a woman exco has greater potential to formulate statewide policies and practices that directly impact the lives of thousands of rakyat on a daily basis.
"Capable women leaders must be given access to lead in these arenas " she stressed.
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