KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) has urged all members of parliament (MPs) to support the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill on limiting the Prime Minister’s term of office, which was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today.
In a statement, the Bersih Steering Committee said the tabling of the Bill represents a significant step forward in the institutional reform agenda under the MADANI Government, with the potential to deliver long-term positive impact.
“This includes the Prime Minister’s affirmation that the proposed term limit would also apply to himself, as he has held the office for more than three years.
“As such, Bersih calls on all MPs to support this Bill to ensure its passage in Parliament,” the statement read.
Bersih said that if passed, the Bill would serve as an important mechanism to prevent the excessive concentration of power in the hands of a Prime Minister who remains in office for an extended period, which carries the risk of authoritarian tendencies.
The coalition also stressed the importance of all MPs debating the Bill thoroughly, constructively and effectively.
Beyond the proposed term limit for the Prime Minister, Bersih suggested that the government consider introducing a fixed-term Parliament Act to reduce power struggles and mid-term changes of Prime Minister or government, as seen following the Sheraton Move.
Frequent changes within a short period, it said, would lead to political instability and undermine the advancement of parliamentary democracy.
Earlier, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which seeks to limit the Prime Minister’s term of office to 10 years, was tabled for first reading by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
The Bill seeks to amend Article 43 of the Federal Constitution by introducing a new Clause (2A), stipulating that a Prime Minister appointed under Article 43(2)(a) shall not at any time hold office for a cumulative period exceeding 10 years, whether consecutively or otherwise.
-- BERNAMA
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