DAP legal bureau chairperson Ramkarpal Singh has stated that Putrajaya should take a leaf out of the Penang government's book by limiting the number of terms a prime minister could serve.

His statement came following the recent move by the Penang government to limit its chief minister to two terms in office.

Acknowledging that the Pakatan Harapan government lacked two-third majority in the Dewan Rakyat, however, the DAP lawmaker called on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to announce a term limit for the premiership "by way of convention" until the necessary constitutional amendments could be made.

"The federal government must follow Penang’s example by similarly limiting the term of the prime minister although it may face challenges in doing so as Harapan does not currently enjoy a two-third majority in Parliament, unlike the Penang state government.

"In order for such a limit to be placed on the term of the prime minister, the Federal Constitution would have to be amended to introduce a provision therein reflecting such a limit which requires the two-third majority.

"Regardless, it is hoped Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announces that a limit on the prime minister’s term will be practiced by way of convention until we achieve the required numbers in Parliament to amend the Federal Constitution accordingly, hopefully in the next general election," he said in a statement today.

'Three terms more suitable'

Although lauding Penang's move to limit the number of terms to be served by the state chief minister to two, Ramkarpal further stated three terms would have been more suitable.

The Gelugor MP said this was as policies introduced would require time, in order for its success to be measured.

"Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (photo) has demonstrated great wisdom in leading his administration towards this end which is in line with the Pakatan Harapan manifesto in GE14.

"I personally feel that the appropriate limit ought to be three terms as policies introduced often take time to mature before they can be said to be successful or not and perhaps two terms might be a bit too short a time for a head of state to prove him/herself in this regard," his statement read.

The Penang legislative assembly yesterday passed the bill to amend the state constitution to limit the chief minister to two terms in office.

Ramkarpal added that as one term may not necessarily last a full five years, the state's decision could limit the chief minister’s term to less than 10 years.

"Nevertheless, there can be no doubt that limiting the term of the chief minister is a step in the right direction as this would encourage greater accountability on his/her part and would also motivate him/her to bring the state to greater heights since he knows that his/her term is limited.

Prior to Chow, current DAP secretary-general and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng helmed the post of state chief minister for two terms, from 2008.