Few things are as novel as a politician being right on the money, and we have to congratulate Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu for pushing for a two-term limit for the Penang Chief Minister’s post. He has even sparked a debate in Sabah, where some are suggesting a similar limit for the state’s chief executive.
Imposing a time limit on the tenure of anyone holding a position of public responsibility will keep fresh blood and ideas flowing through any political organisation, whereas an indefinite tenure tends to stagnate it.
We are facing a dearth of young leaders not because there are none who have the potential, but because we don’t have a system that gives enough opportunities for potential leaders to develop themselves. We should begin putting such a system in place by limiting the tenure of our elected officials at all levels. Two terms would be about right.
True, limiting the terms of elected officials will not entirely eliminate the problem of political parties becoming top heavy with older officials or, indeed, the problem of corruption. However, we can reduce the damage if we elect officials who know they do not have unlimited time to collect favours and wealth. This forces the party to continually improve itself so that its values and principles get closer and closer to the values and principles of those who vote it in.
A lot of politicians will say that two terms – about 10 years or so in Malaysia – would not be enough for them to bring about changes. But they might be surprised how much they could do, if they were sincere, that is. If a chief minister, say, has done his job well during his two terms, then voters are likely to elect someone from his party as his successor. The successor can then continue with his good work.
It’s high time we make 10 years enough for any politician to be in office. They must be made to realise that they cannot treat their offices like they own them forever. For the sake of the country’s future, we cannot have a leader sit too long in power. As long as a party can convince the people of the rightness of its direction, it can pursue its vision through successive leaders.
Limiting the tenure of an elected official to two terms essentially puts his party through a job review every 10 years, and it’s time for our electoral process to be more participative. Perhaps that’s the part that scares politicians the most.