Controversial DAP Tanjung Bungah assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu claims that while he has many supporters, he has also received threats for filing the motion to limit the term of of office of the chief minister.

Teh urged his fellow DAP members not to be over-sensitive on his move, insisting that the motion was not personally targeted at Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is also the party's secretary-general.

He said if he were a parliamentarian, that he would similarly seek for the prime minister’s term to be limited to two terms.

Teh said several of the motions or issues he raised in the state assembly in the past, including the ones on transgender rights and protection of the environment, would have been brought up in Parliament too, if he were an MP.

“ Siapa makan cili, dia rasa pedas (whoever eats chili, feels the heat),” Teh quipped, when met at his service centre in Tanjung Bungah.

He added that many people have shown support for his motion, but he would not publicly declare their identities.

“Many have threatened and criticised me too, but they remain anonymous. I urge them to show their faces to me publicly and in person, to share their grievances,” he added.

Teh has submitted an official motion to the state legislative assembly calling for the term of the chief minister to be limited to two terms.

Teh’s motion is bound to ruffle feathers of his comrades who stand solidly behind Guan Eng, and want him to serve as chief minister beyond two terms.

Speaker to review motions

State assembly speaker Law Choo Kiang confirmed that Teh has submitted the motion, adding that others, including one on reclamation by Umno Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhammad Farid Saad, have been submitted as well.

“But I have to review them on whether they can be allowed to be debated or rejected,” said Law, who is also PKR’s Bukit Tambun representative.

He added that the motions had to be worded properly and comply with the state assembly Standing Orders.

“I will review the motions with the state secretary and if necessary, seek advice from the state legal adviser,” Law said.

Farid created waves with a motion to halt reclamation projects in Penang in the last state assembly sitting in November last year and five PKR representatives abstained from voting against the motion.

They are Cheah Kah Peng (Kebun Bunga), Ong Chin Wen (Bukit Tengah), Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubuk), Norlela Ariffin (Penanti) and Dr T Jayabalan (Batu Uban).

Teh also supported the motion but withdraw his support minutes later and apologised for his action. He also resigned from his post of organising secretary of the Penang DAP.