Guan Eng, Azmin not affected by Harapan's term limit

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali are unlikely to be affected by Pakatan Harapan's proposal to introduce a two-term limit for top posts if it wins in the 14th general election.

"The two-term limit begins with GE14 onwards, so it doesn't impact Lim or Azmin," Bersatu strategist Rais Hussin told Malaysiakini.

Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, revealed yesterday that Harapan's manifesto will impose a two-term limit for the posts of prime minister, chief minister and menteri besar.

If Harapan wins in Penang, Lim would be entering his third term as chief minister, but his first if the two-term limit is not taken as retroactive.

Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president, will be seeking his first full term at the polls. He was installed as menteri besar mid-term, after the ouster of his predecessor Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Earlier today, Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang (photo) questioned if Lim would be made to relinquish his chief minister post if the federal opposition retains Penang.

"With regard to Lim's announcement that Harapan will limit the term of their prime minister, chief minister and menteri besar to two terms, I believe such a promise can be easily fulfilled now without any further delay if Harapan is sincere in their pledge.

"As such, Gerakan Youth urges Harapan to declare whether Guan Eng will continue as Penang chief minister for a third term if Harapan wins the next general election," he said in a statement.

At the federal level, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will be seeking a mandate for a second term.

This is not counting the partial term he served when his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi handed him the reins in 2009.

'Cannot be retroactive'

At a press conference in Komtar today, Lim reiterated the point that the term limit will only apply retroactively. 

"It will be implemented from next term onwards, we cannot make it retroactive.

"If we make it retroactive, Dr Mahathir Mohamad cannot be PM (for 22 years)," he quipped.

Lim said that Harapan initially decided to only impose the term limit on the post of prime minister, but later opted to extend this to chief ministers and menteris besar as well.

He also explained that the term limit would not apply to federal ministers and state excos.

However, the chief minister noted that where Penang is concerned, Harapan would need a two-thirds majority in the Legislative Assembly to make the necessary amendments to the state constitution.

Lim also joked that Harapan's promise is going against a “worldwide trend,” referring to China's removal of the two-term limit for President Xi Jinping, a move that was welcomed by his US counterpart, Donald Trump. -Mkini