THE proposed constitutional amendment to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to institutional reform and fulfilling its election promises.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Parliament is expected to debate the amendment and expressed hope that it would secure two-thirds support from lawmakers on both sides of the political divide.
Chow said the amendment, backed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, would take effect immediately. This means the years already served by Anwar would be counted within the proposed 10-year limit.
“It is not ten years, but more than six and a half years. I consider this a very courageous proposal.
“If someone dares to pass such a constitutional amendment and make it effective immediately, it shows that the person is not trying to cling to power.
“If one wanted to hold on to power, the amendment could have been made to take effect only after the next election and start counting from then,” he said in his speech during the Batu Kawan parliamentary Chinese New Year open house held at SJK (C) Keng Koon in Bukit Tambun today.
Chow said the tenure calculation would begin from the date of appointment by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, rather than from the date the amendment is passed.
He noted that few parliamentary democracies with Cabinet systems impose term limits on prime ministers, describing Malaysia’s move as a bold reform.
“Not many countries in the world practise this approach, but Malaysia can be said to be among the courageous nations willing to implement constitutional reforms and make them effective immediately,” he said.
Chow said the reform was part of Pakatan Harapan’s pledge to strengthen governance and institutions.
He said several reforms had already been tabled in Parliament over the past three years, and more could be expected within the next year to enable the government to demonstrate its achievements before the next general election.
On the next general election, Chow pointed out it could take place within one to two years, although only the prime minister would know the actual timing.
Chow urged party members and supporters to begin preparations and reconnect with voters and communities ahead of the polls.
On the local front, Chow also pointed out that Penang had implemented political reforms earlier by amending the State Constitution in November 2018 to limit the chief minister’s tenure to two terms.
“Our amendment is different from Parliament’s. Parliament refers to ten years, while in Penang we specify two terms,” he said.
He explained that one term is usually about five years, but the duration may vary depending on election timing.
“Two terms should be around ten years, but sometimes things do not go as planned.
“Parliament specifies ten years of service, while Penang specifies two terms — and two terms do not necessarily equal ten years.”
Chow said the present administration has about two more years remaining in its term.
“Time is limited for all of us, and time for me is also limited — about two more years or slightly more,” he said, referring to the next polls.
Nevertheless, he said he frequently reminds elected representatives and government agencies to ensure that promises made to voters are fulfilled before the next election.
“I will always ask what progress has been made and whether the promises we made in Perai, Bukit Tengah and Bukit Tambun have been fulfilled,” he said.
Among the projects he highlighted was the Kampung Manis project, which he said had been promised several years ago.
He said he would continue monitoring the Kampung Manis pilot project and other development programmes to ensure their completion.
Chow also urged state executive councillors, MPs, assemblymen, councillors, government departments and Village Community Management Councils (MPKK) to remember the promises made to the people.
“We have only about two years left. We must take immediate action so that these promises can be fulfilled,” he said.
He added that projects which have already received approval should commence immediately, while ongoing projects must be completed properly.
He said the state government had also worked for several years to address pollution problems affecting residents and had achieved positive results.
“In the remaining two years or slightly more, we must quickly resolve existing issues,” he said.
Chow acknowledged that some people believe the two-term limit might cause leaders to slow down in their final years in office.
“Some people think that once we enter the final one or two years, the chief minister is already on the way out. That is not the case,” he said to applause from those present.
“I want to prove that in the remaining two years we should work even harder, and in fact double our efforts,” he added.
He said the state government aims to present a strong report card to the people before the next election.
Chow said the goal is to leave behind a better Penang with higher incomes, improved infrastructure and improved living standards.
“We want to ensure that during our time in office, it can be said that we have worked hard, struggled for Penang and contributed to the state,” he said.
Earlier, Chow thanked the public for attending the Chinese New Year open house jointly organised by the Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency together with the Perai, Bukit Tengah and Bukit Tambun state constituencies.
Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik also urged his constituency machinery to gear up for the next election.
Among those present were State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang, state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye, Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao-Leung, Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze, Berapit assemblyman Heng Lee Lee, Chow’s political secretary Lau Keng Ee, and former state executive councillor Datuk Seri Phee Boon Poh.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alissala Thian