LAUNCHING OF BIG TULIP SUMMIT 2019

SPEECH BY CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG

AT THE LAUNCHING OF BIG TULIP SUMMIT 2019

 

20 AUGUST 2019

JEN HOTEL

 

YB Chong Eng

Penang State EXCO for Women & Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Religions Other than Islam

 

Yang Berbahagia Professor Dr. Ahmad Bashawir bin Abdul Ghani

Honourable Vice Chancellor, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)

 

Ms Ong Bee Leng

CEO of PWDC

Distinguished guests

Member of the media

Ladies and gentlemen

A very good morning to all of you.

It gives me a great pleasure being here today to officiate the second edition of the BIG TULIP SUMMIT – NATIONAL WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN PROGRAMME 2019 with the theme “Dare to Dream – Make it Happen”.

I am honoured to address a record-breaking audience from various Businesses, Industries and Government Agencies.

The Penang State Government is very pleased with the collaboration between Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) through its Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB) and the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) that culminated in the successful hosting of this event.

I was informed that the BIG TULIP Summit is a “Not for Profit Event” and that it neither receive any form of funding nor financial sponsorships from other organisations apart from the partial fee sponsorship by the Penang State Government and the programme was made successful through the sale of seats at very affordable fees. I wish to congratulate both, OYAGSB and PWDC for working together to Make It Happen.

It is extremely rare to see a public university foraying into staging a non-profit event of this stature deriving revenue from proceeds of sales to defray all expenses. 

I wish to congratulate the Honourable Vice Chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghani and the Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business for being self-reliant and bold in organizing the BIG TULIP SUMMIT that would provide a platform for women to learn, network and exchange ideas and adopt best practices.

I am indeed pleased to note UUM’s commitment in championing women empowerment. I am also moved by its ability to bring together so many eminent persons, inspirational speakers and decision makers to share their success stories with other women. Let us put our hands together and give UUM, a big round of applause! Well done UUM!

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

I am proud to say that Penang has not only been active and progressive but took a leading role in the empowerment of our women folks or better known as ‘gender inclusiveness’ in the jargon of our state policy. When vision Penang2030 was introduced last year, we vowed to create an inclusive and people-centric state. In making this a reality, gender inclusiveness is the main component to stimulate economic development and general well-being. Having this as our objective, the Penang state government has sworn to transform our society from the orthodox view concerning the roles of men and women to one where women has the opportunity to reach their potential.

In supporting vision Penang2030, I am glad to say that we have adopted the Gender Inclusiveness Policy, making us the first state to adopt such a policy in Malaysia. The policy promotes 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.

I am also pleased to say that Penang is the first state to have Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Wanita dan Keluarga (JPWK), where the state has appointed women in each of the 40 KADUN, to organise development programmes for women folks and the family unit.  At present, we have appointed 600 women leaders to serve the different communities across the state.  The state government wishes to open up more opportunities to grow and develop more women leaders. We are serious in proving the notion that if given the opportunity, women can be great leaders and are able to break those stereotypes imposed upon them.  

Just like Martin Luther King in his “I have a Dream” speech that inspired the American nation, I too have a dream and I wish to share my dream with you today. A dream that needs everyone in this ballroom to make it happen.

The Big Tulip Summit co-incidentally is held very close to Hari Kebangsaan on 31st August when Malaysia celebrates her 62nd year of independence.

Let us all reflect on the pressing issues that are threatening the social fabric of our society.

Let us all take this opportunity to have the same dream of seeing a nation united where our future generations can live in peace and harmony.

Let us all set our goals and action in unity to bring our dreams alive, to enjoy living in a vibrant, peaceful and prosperous Malaysia. Our Nation and land as our pride and joy.

I Dare you to dream about unity and Make it Happen.

It has been brought to my attention that the BIG TULIP SUMMIT is an annual programme and I am happy to state that the state government is willing to commit our support for the future initiatives of UUM that are in line with our policies to advance and strengthen women’s role in society.

I wish to once again congratulate the Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business for being bold and visionary in developing a noble initiative. May the BIG TULIP SUMMIT grow in strength each year and will one day spread across the region and in the process, be a source of pride for our nation.  

Perhaps an ASEAN BIG TULIP SUMMIT can be held in Penang in the future.  

Again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Universiti Utara Malaysia especially the Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business for inviting me to officiate the BIG TULIP SUMMIT.

I also wish to extend my best wishes to all the participants and hope that you will enjoy the learning experience.

On this note, it is with great pleasure that I declare open the BIG TULIP SUMMIT 2019.

Thank you.

Pejabat Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Tingkat 28, KOMTAR, 10502, George Town, Pulau Pinang