Move to set two-term limit on Penang CM

DAP assemblyman to try again in November, BN complains motion was rejected outright

GEORGE TOWN: Tanjung Bunga assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu will make another attempt to set term limits on the position of Penang Chief Minister, undeterred by his failure to do so at the previous assembly meeting.

He plans to table a motion at the next assembly sitting, probably in November, to amend the state constitution, setting a limit of two terms for anyone appointed as Chief Minister.

He had planned to table it at last week’s sitting but ran out of time because of developments such as the Permatang Pauh by-election and the hudud controversy.

He needs to submit his motion to the Speaker two months in advance. “I will do it this time,” said Teh. “My motion will seek amendment to Article 7 of the State Constitution to limit a chief minister to only two terms.”

He said that he had received positive feedback from Pakatan Rakyat grassroot members and the public, and a good response when he made similar proposal at the DAP state committee.

A term limit would open up opportunities to others, including women, to lead the state.

He said Perak’s opposition parties, the DAP, PKR and PAS, had also proposed a similar motion recently.

Penang’s first Chief Minister Wong Pow Nee served two terms (1957-1969). His successor Lim Chong Eu completed five terms (1969-1990), while Lim’s successor Koh Tsu Koon lasted for four terms (1990-2008).

The current Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, is in his second term. Unlike his predecessors, Guan Eng is the first “outsider” to become Penang Chief Minister.

Teh has proposed the two-term limit for chief minister at several past assembly meetings but was shot down by fellow DAP members of the assembly. Last week, assemblymen Soon Lip Chee of Jawi, Wong Hon Wai of Air Itam and RSN Rayer of Seri Delima rejected the proposal.

However the opposition Barisan Nasional members gave it their backing. The BN planned to table a similar motion but were rejected by the Speaker, Law Choo Kiang, who told BN members that the motion must be discussed by one of the House committees before allowed to be tabled.

Muhamad Farid Saad (BN) of Pulau Betong said the members argued that the motion could always be tabled and discussed at the House and we can leave it to the lawmakers to accept or reject it. “But our proposed motion was rejected outright.”

Whether Teh’s proposal would now see the light of the day remains to be seen.