KUALA LUMPUR — Proposed constitutional amendments to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years must preserve the constitutional role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, said Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
The proposed changes should also prevent the Prime Minister from holding the post of Finance Minister, he said in a statement on Facebook.
“The Bill restricting the discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in appointing a Prime Minister solely from among Members of the Dewan Rakyat must obtain the consent of the Conference of Rulers in accordance with Article 38(4) of the Federal Constitution.
“The Opposition urges the Government to add further provisions to the proposed Bills based on the principle of separation of powers involving the judiciary and prosecution, and to safeguard the discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” the Larut MP added.
Hamzah said opposition MPs held a meeting on February 26 to discuss the proposed constitutional amendments and voiced concern that although meant as institutional reform, the changes must comply with the Federal Constitution.
The opposition lawmakers also want structural changes to prevent concentration of executive power, such as the current practice of having the prime minister also manage the finance portfolio.
“To ensure that the concentration of the Prime Minister’s powers is balanced throughout the term limit, the Opposition proposes that the Prime Minister should not concurrently hold the position of Minister of Finance,” Hamzah said.
The bill on the prime minister’s term limit was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for first reading on February 23.
The bill proposes to amend Article 43 of the Federal Constitution by introducing a new Clause (2A), stipulating that a Prime Minister “shall not at any time hold the office for periods amounting in the aggregate to more than ten years, either continuously or otherwise.”
It also proposes that any period served as Prime Minister before the provision comes into effect will be counted towards the 10-year limit. – February 28, 2026