GEORGE TOWN – Malaysia does not need to adopt a formal system where former chief ministers and menteris besar guide their successors, as it could open the door to undue interference, political analysts say.
Assistant professor Lau Zhe Wei of the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) warned that such advisory roles could allow former state leaders to exert pressure on their successors.
Speaking to Scoop, he said such pressure would hinder new leaders from carrying out their duties independently, as they might feel obligated to consult their predecessors on governance matters.
“In other words, I don’t think that Malaysia needs to follow the way of Singapore where it creates senior ministers or minister mentors (positions). I believe that once a leader retires, he should fully retire, meaning that he should let go of everything and remain quiet,” he said.
Echoing this view, associate professor Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said former chief ministers should step back and allow their successors to lead.
However, he noted that this does not mean they must completely disengage from politics, as they could still provide informal guidance, particularly in helping successors transition into their roles.
“The public’s focus should be on the new chief minister (and not the former) and while offering guidance, the former chief minister should not impose his ways of doing things onto the successor. The new chief minister should be allowed to chart his own governing course and style,” Azmil told Scoop when contacted.
Meanwhile, Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said the extent to which former state leaders retain influence depends on election results.
“Succession is a manifestation of political struggle in a party,” he told Scoop. “If the successor wins overwhelmingly over the predecessor, then the predecessor will be thrown mercilessly under the truck.
“(However), if the win is a precarious one, then the predecessor still gets to stake a claim in some sort of advisory capacity.”
The analysts were responding to whether Malaysia should formally establish advisory roles for former state leaders to guide their successors. Their remarks follow Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s statement that he is open to offering guidance to his successor—but only if asked.
When pressed in an exclusive interview with Scoop on whether he would take on an advisory role or serve as a senior executive councillor, Chow said: “(Only) if needed (and) solicited, maybe.” He stressed that his successor should have the freedom to govern independently, acknowledging that every leader has their own vision for the state.
Lau said Chow’s stance aligns with his personality, as he “does not want to get caught into all kinds of unnecessary controversies”. He added that Chow understands a leader should step aside after leaving office rather than interfere in governance.
How can Chow advise his successor?
When asked how Chow could provide guidance, Lau said it would have to be done informally, as Malaysia does not have an established advisory system for former leaders.
He pointed to past precedents, such as former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s formation of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) during the Pakatan Harapan administration. However, Lau noted that the CEP was created under unique political circumstances when Mahathir needed experts with strong networks to assist him.
Oh, meanwhile, was sceptical about Chow being given an advisory role, speculating that he might be sidelined after completing his second and final term as chief minister.
Under the Penang state constitution, a chief minister is limited to two terms.
A rebuke against Guan Eng
Both Oh and Azmil suggested that Chow’s remarks could be seen as a veiled criticism of his predecessor, Lim Guan Eng, whom they accused of “overt interference in state affairs”.
“Politicians don’t just muse for nothing (as) they would always say things for a purpose. He (Chow) was basically criticising Lim for unwelcome advice or interference,” Oh said.
Lim has publicly criticised Chow’s administration over several issues, including the controversial sale of land in Byram to UMECH Land Sdn Bhd—later suspended—Penang Development Corporation’s reversal of a land sale to an IJM-led consortium, and a sharp decline in state reserves.