This episode of ‘Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth’, the CPA’s Podcast, features Hon. Lau Weng San, the 12th Speaker of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, Malaysia.

In this conversation, Speaker Lau reflects on his unique journey as one of the few non-MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) Speakers in Selangor’s history, discussing how this position shapes his approach to parliamentary neutrality and constitutional responsibility. He explains the principles that guide him in safeguarding legislative integrity, such as the rule of law and democratic accountability. He also shares his vision for strengthening transparency, enhancing accountability and raising institutional standards within the legislative system.

Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

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Recorded in February 2026.

What does it mean to lead as a woman in politics today? In this special fireside chat, hosted by Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Coordinator Avni Kondhia, three women Parliamentarians and CPA Officers come together for a candid and informal conversation about their journeys in public life and the realities of holding power across the Commonwealth.

She spoke with Sue Lines, CPA Treasurer and President of the Senate of Australia; Valerie Woods, CPA Small Branches Chairperson and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize and Catherine Fife, CWP Chairperson and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

From the unexpected paths that led them into politics to their proudest achievements in Parliament, the speakers reflect on the moments that shaped their careers. They discuss how their parliaments have evolved for women over time, the importance of allyship across party lines, and the ongoing work needed to achieve equal representation in political leadership.

The conversation also explores bigger questions: why women Heads of Government remain rare in many Commonwealth jurisdictions—including Canada, Australia, and Belize—and what must change for women’s leadership at the highest level to become the norm.

Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

What causes social bias in AI – and how can Parliaments counter it?

As AI is adopted across the world, prejudices and biases – sexism, racism, classism – are reproduced in its outputs. What causes these biases, and how can Parliamentarians counter them? To find out, we spoke to Norul Mohamed Rashid, Policy Advisor at UN Women and Dr Claudia Abreu Lopes, Policy Research Lead at the United Nations University.

They discussed how content moderation, unequal access to technology and concentration of power could lead to some of these biases, and how citizens and parliamentarians can fight back.

This episode was recorded by Oz Russell, CPA Communications Officer, at the Kuala Lumpur Conference on the Role of Parliaments in responsible AI in December 2025. The conference was organised jointly by CPA, IPU, UNDP, and the Parliament of Malaysia.

Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)