Limiting Prime Minister's Term To 10 Years Is Part Of Anwar's Institutional Reform Agenda -- Azalina

BANGI, May 10 (Bernama) -- The proposed 10-year term limit for the Prime Minister is part of the institutional reform agenda initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

She said the proposal reflects efforts to reform institutions to ensure that the principles of checks and balances and limitations on power can be implemented in the country's democratic system.

“That is why the 10th Prime Minister, Anwar, should be respected and commended because he is willing to limit his own tenure.

“Which means, if the limit is set at 10 years, he has already served three years. So, if an election were to be held this year and he remains Prime Minister, he would only be able to continue for another seven years,” she said during a question-and-answer session at the MADANI Accountability Framework 2026 Town Hall programme today.

To realise the reform agenda, Azalina said all Members of Parliament must support the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which seeks to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years, when it is tabled again in the Dewan Rakyat this June.

Expressing disappointment over the failure to secure the required two-thirds majority previously, she said the outcome was partly due to the absence of several MPs, including two from Barisan Nasional and one from Pakatan Harapan.

“Why didn’t they come? Why didn’t they vote? They gave many reasons...they were sick, forgot, were in the hospital, and so on.

“They can give me any reason, but voters should criticise and question them. That is your responsibility,” she said.

Azalina stressed that MPs, including those opposed to a bill, still have a responsibility to attend parliamentary sittings so their support or objections can be officially recorded.

She said the amendment is important to prevent excessive centralisation of political power.

“I don’t want someone to remain Prime Minister forever. I think it's not good for the country if you don't have limitation in the political power.

“You should not be Prime Minister forever and ever," she said.

Last March, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, aimed at limiting the Prime Minister’s term to 10 years, failed to obtain the required two-thirds majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul reportedly said 146 MPs voted in favour of the bill, while 32 were absent and 44 did not vote. The constitutional amendment required at least 148 votes to be passed.

-- BERNAMA