GEORGE TOWN – Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow put to rest speculations that his predecessor Lim Guan Eng can return as the state’s top honcho, saying it is unconstitutional based on the state’s amended constitution.
Under Article 7 Section 2 (a) of the Penang constitution, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri shall first appoint as chief minister to preside over the executive council, a member of the legislative assembly: (i) who in his judgement is likely to command the confidence of a majority of the members of the assembly, and (ii) who has not at any time held the office of the chief minister for two terms.
Chow told a press conference that the law is binding as of February 1, 2019, and there is no element of it being retrospective.
“This law is applicable to all chief ministers. I hope this puts to rest the speculations.”
In the past week, the rumour mill has persisted that Lim was considering returning as the state’s chief minister because he has no present position in government.
Lim served as the finance minister from 2018 until 2020 when the Pakatan Harapan government then was overthrown in an indirect coup dubbed the “Sheraton Move”.
Since then, the Bagan MP has relinquished his party post as secretary-general but assumed the post of DAP chairperson, which is seen more as a figurehead than an administrative one.
Penang amended its constitution in 2018 to limit the position to two terms as it was part of the PH state manifesto during the 2013 general election.
Chow said that the amended constitution was submitted to the Attorney-General Chambers on June 11, 2018, and it was also ratified by the state legislative assembly (November 2018).
Penang South Islands project
In a separate issue, Chow said that the critics of the controversial Penang South Islands (PSI) mega reclamation project, were trying to portray it as similar to the Forest City reclamation project in Johor Baru.
Chow said that it was totally false, as PSI’s first reclaimed island which is now called Silicon Island, will consist more of greenery and commercial initiatives rather than housing, which is the main concept of Forest City.
About 700 acres (30%-40%) is devoted to public facilities such as recreational grounds, 45% to waterways such as rivers and lakes while only 24.2% was only for housing.
Forest City is mostly designed as a high-rise lifestyle residence with resort-like facilities. – The Vibes, May 5, 2023
