This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on May 24, 2018

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government says it is taking steps to honour its election pledge to limit its chief minister’s tenure to two years by amending the relevant provision in the state constitution before year end.

Newly sworn-in Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the tenure limit would be the first among 68 promises in Pakatan Harapan’s 14th general election (GE14) manifesto to be fulfilled after the coalition was returned to power in Penang in the May 9 polls.

“We won a two-thirds majority, so we want to fulfil the first promise made to voters. The state legal adviser has been asked to look into how an amendment can be made to the constitution to make this a law in the state.

“The state executive council (exco) will discuss [the matter] after the legal adviser has completed the research. The proposed amendment would be deliberated by the standing committee for institutions after it is set up at the first state assembly sitting in early August,” Chow told reporters after chairing the first exco meeting yesterday.

He added that the tabling of the amendment could be done in October when the state assembly convenes for the Budget 2019 sitting.

“Prior to that, the public would be able to share their input after we have come up with the proposal. They may have different views to our proposal,” Chow said.

The chief minister also said he would be meeting officials of several agencies such as the Land Public Transport Commission and Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, as well as non-governmental organisations, to understand various issues and address them in the government.

He said he would also be meeting Transport Minister Anthony Loke to discuss issues of transportation in Penang.