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THE Penang state government has ruled out any move to amend its State Constitution to extend the Chief Minister’s tenure beyond the existing two-term limit, amid continued discussion over how the restriction should be interpreted when the State Legislative Assembly is dissolved before completing a full five-year term.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the current constitutional framework is clear and already provides sufficient guidance on the matter, rejecting the need for a shift towards a fixed 10-year cap.
He cited Article 7, Clause 2(a) of the Penang State Constitution, which stipulates that the Yang di-Pertua Negeri shall appoint as Chief Minister an elected member of the State Legislative Assembly who commands the confidence of the majority and has never held the office for two terms.
He also referred to Article 19, Clause 3, which states that, unless dissolved earlier, the State Legislative Assembly shall continue for five years from its first sitting.
Chow was responding to a question raised by Machang Bubok assemblyman Lee Khai Loon on whether the state intended to amend the current two-term restriction into a 10-year limit.
He clarified that the definition of a term is tied to the lifespan of the State Legislative Assembly, which may be shortened if the House is dissolved before completing its full five-year duration.
“The definition of a term begins when the first sitting of the State Legislative Assembly convenes after an election until it is dissolved, and the total duration may be less than 10 years but must not exceed two terms,” he said.
“In cases where the State Legislative Assembly is dissolved before a term reaches five years, the term of two periods should be understood as the cumulative years of the first and second terms,” he added.
Chow, who is also the Padang Kota assemblyman, said the state government maintains that the current interpretation of the two-term limit is adequate and does not require amendment at this time.
Penang became the first Malaysian state to introduce a two-term limit for the Chief Minister’s office in November 2018, following the passage of an amendment to the State Constitution. - May 11, 2026
