KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced two major institutional reforms that will be brought before Parliament in the current session: the separation of powers between the Public Prosecutor and the Attorney General, and a Bill to limit the tenure of the Prime Minister to a maximum of 10 years or two full terms.
Delivering his 2026 New Year’s address at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly, Anwar stressed that these reforms are part of the government’s broader agenda to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure accountability at the highest levels of governance.
“All positions have term limits. Even the Chief Secretary to the Government cannot serve beyond ten years, and the same principle applies to everyone,” he said.
“If someone has been given a set period and successfully carried out their responsibilities, it is only right to hand over to the next generation. This will also apply to the Prime Minister’s office.”
The proposed Bill will enshrine in law that no Prime Minister may serve beyond two full parliamentary terms or a total of ten years. According to Anwar, this measure is designed to prevent the concentration of power in a single individual and to encourage leadership renewal.
The Prime Minister underscored that the separation of powers between the Public Prosecutor and the Attorney General will be the first law tabled in Parliament this session. This move is aimed at enhancing transparency and ensuring prosecutorial independence, a reform long debated in Malaysia’s legal and political circles.
Anwar noted that both initiatives are consistent with Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto commitments made during the 2018 General Election, which pledged to introduce stronger checks and balances within the country’s political system.
“These reforms are not just about limiting tenure or separating roles. They are about building a culture of integrity, accountability, and trust in our institutions. Malaysia must move forward with a governance framework that reflects the aspirations of its people,” he said.
The announcement marks a significant step in the government’s ongoing institutional reform agenda, which Anwar has repeatedly emphasized as central to his administration’s mission. – January 5, 2026