Teh said the Penang and Selangor state assemblies could hold a special session to vote on a motion to approve the two-term limit for the posts of chief minister and menteri besar.
He said although the general election is around the corner, the assemblies could pass a motion on the proposal and debate the matter before the dissolution of their assemblies.
Teh said if elections were called mid-way, the debate could be continued after the polls had been concluded.
“Why wait until you win Putrajaya, when you can lead by example by implementing the term-limit in states held by Pakatan Harapan (PH) first?
“This way, you show the entire nation that you are sincere. At least you are partially honouring your promise,” Teh told FMT.
On a claim that Dr Mahathir Mohamad might lose his chance to be prime minister if the term-limit was enforced retrospectively, Teh said it would not affect the PH chairman as he would likely bid to become an MP, and it would involve the amendment of the Federal Constitution, not the state constitution.
Earlier today, PH deputy president Lim Guan Eng said the two-term limit for prime ministers, menteri besar and chief ministers cannot take place retrospectively because it might deny Mahathir the chance to be prime minister.
Teh is a big advocate for limiting the terms of leaders. He had sought to have the Penang state constitution amended four times since 2013 so that a person could only serve as the chief minister for a maximum of two terms.
However, all his four attempts failed, with the last one in November thrown out due to a technicality.
When asked about how he felt about PH’s decision to impose the term limit, Teh said he was happy and felt it was a step in the right direction.
He said the two-term limit was not a personal attack on anyone, but merely to allow younger leaders to take over.
Teh said it would also pave the way for a woman to be the chief minister or menteri besar in Penang and Selangor.
“It will give equal chances to all aspiring leaders.”
Assemblyman wants 2-term limit for CM post, women to hold office too