PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has reiterated the Penang State Constitution clause which limits the Chief Minister’s tenure to two terms.
“The amended Penang State Constitution, effective Feb 1, 2019, is clear.
“It states that the Yang di-Pertua Negeri shall first appoint as Chief Minister to preside over the Executive Council, a member of the Legislative Assembly who in his judgement is likely to command the confidence of a majority of the Assembly; and who has not at any time held the office of Chief Minister for two terms.
“In accordance with the State Constitution, the Chief Minister must be a member of the Legislative Assembly who has not at any time held the office of Chief Minister for two terms,” he told a media conference, explaining that the term limit law was retroactive.
Chow said: “It can be summarised that any former Penang Chief Minister who has held the position as the Chief Minister for two terms, including prior to the amendment to the Penang State Constitution on Feb 1, 2019, cannot be reappointed as the Chief Minister of Penang.”
“It is in accordance with the terms stipulated in the Penang State Constitution and the Hansard information dated Nov 16, 2018,” he added.
Recollecting the past, Chow said the proposal to amend the Penang State Constitution was submitted to the Attorney General’s Department through the state Legal Advisor’s Office on June 11, 2018.
“The proposed amendment to the Penang State Constitution was also discussed in a few Penang executive council meetings between July and August 2018 before finally inserting an additional sub-clause (pertaining to the qualification of a member of the Legislative Assembly to be appointed as the Chief Minister) to the Penang State Constitution.
“Through that amendment, any state assemblyman cannot be appointed as Chief Minister if he or she has held the position as the Chief Minister for two terms,” he explained.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Law Suun Ting