BILL TO LIMIT PM’S TENURE TO 10 YEARS TO BE TABLED THIS YEAR

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the proposed legislation is one of four new laws to be introduced as part of Parliament’s agenda for the year.

“Everyone has a term limit. The Chief Secretary to the Government cannot serve for decades, and the same principle applies to all. If one is given sufficient time to deliver, it is then better to hand over to the next generation,” he said.

“The same principle applies to the Prime Minister’s Department. That is why we will table the Bill to limit the tenure of the prime minister to no more than 10 years or two full terms,” he said in his 2026 New Year Message at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly today.

In March last year, Anwar, while chairing a Cabinet meeting, called for a thorough and detailed study of the proposal to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years.

He said the proposal involves a complex process and requires careful consideration, as it would entail amendments to the Federal Constitution.

Anwar said that three other Bills will also be tabled this year, covering the separation of the roles of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor, the establishment of an Ombudsman, and Freedom of Information (FOI).

In fact, he said the Bill to separate the roles of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor will be the first to be tabled when Parliament convenes on Jan 19.

Another proposed law, the Ombudsman Bill, aims to grant broader powers to strengthen integrity and transparency in the public sector, while providing the public with a formal channel to raise issues related to public accountability.

Anwar also said a Freedom of Information Bill will be introduced, with safeguards for matters involving national security and intelligence.

“However, on other issues such as project tenders and preventing abuse of power, the FOI Bill will be tabled and will also be passed this year,” he said.

Previously, the media reported that Malaysia’s Ombudsman will be established with an expanded mandate to enhance integrity and transparency in the public sector. The matter was agreed upon at the 2025 Cabinet Special Committee on National Governance meeting, chaired by Anwar on Dec 8.– BERNAMA