Two DAP assemblymen in heated argument over limiting Penang CM's term of office

Two DAP elected representatives today had a heated argument over the proposed motion to limit the Penang chief minister's term of office to two years, which had been rejected before at the state assembly sittings.

R.S.N Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) said he was disappointed with Teh Yee Cheu (DAP-Tanjung Bungah) over the latter's attempts to table the motion.

"Teh can raise the matter at a meeting with DAP leaders rather than discuss it at a forum organised by the state Gerakan recently," he said when debating on the motion of thanks for the assembly opening speech by Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.

Rayer's speech was interjected by Lydia Ong Kok Fooi (DAP-Berapit), who in defence of Teh, stated that what the Tanjung Bungah assemblyman did was not wrong.

Ong also argued that the motion to limit the chief minister's tenure to only two terms was important to ensure that a leader would not abuse his power.

"Alleged abuse of power can occur if a leader holds the power for too long," she added.

However, Rayer who appeared dissatisfied with her statement, said the state government had been practising the open tender policy and clean administration.

To calm the situation, Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang reminded Rayer to focus only on the debate and not raise issues that were personal.

Teh appeared calm and gave no reaction during the heated exchange of words between Rayer and Ong.

Last week, the motion to limit the chief minister's tenure to two years which Teh tried to table at the state assembly sitting was rejected on technical grounds.

This was the second time the motion was rejected after the assembly sitting on Nov 10, 2014, although Teh's proposals had received various reactions from both government and opposition elected representatives.