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THE proposal to impose a 10-year limit on the tenure of Malaysia’s Prime Minister will be reviewed by the Cabinet, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who also serves as the government spokesperson, confirmed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim instructed for the matter to be discussed during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.
“This was discussed in the Cabinet meeting, but it is still at an early stage, as it is a complex and intricate process that requires careful consideration, including at the state level,” Fadzil explained.
“Any issue that involves a constitutional amendment requires thorough and deep consideration. Therefore, the Prime Minister has asked for this matter to be studied and examined thoroughly.”
The proposal gained renewed attention after it was raised by DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke Siew Fook during his speech at the 18th DAP Congress in Shah Alam on Sunday.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was present at the congress, reportedly expressed the government’s readiness to amend the Constitution to allow for the change, provided there is consensus from the Dewan Rakyat.
Tunku Nashrul Tunku Abaidah, the Prime Minister’s Senior Press Secretary, previously stated that Anwar views the proposal as consistent with his vision and the reform agenda outlined in his "Membangun Negara Madani" framework, as it is not a new idea.
The Prime Minister believes this move would help ensure a cleaner administration, a more organised system, and prevent the concentration of power, which could create opportunities for corruption and abuse of power.
Fahmi reiterated that the issue of constitutional amendments would require careful deliberation, with input from various stakeholders, and stressed the importance of ensuring that any reforms align with Malaysia’s long-term goals for governance and public service.
Proposed Amendments to Finas Act Exclude Online Streaming Censorship
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the proposed amendments to the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) Act 1981 will not extend to the censorship of online streaming services.
The minister clarified that the amendments are focused primarily on the filmmaking process and are not intended to regulate content on streaming platforms.
He emphasised that censorship remains under the purview of the Film Censorship Board, not the Finas Act.
“Censorship falls under the jurisdiction of the Film Censorship Board, not the Finas Act,” Fahmi stated in response to questions during his weekly post-Cabinet press conference in Putrajaya today..
The minister also shared that the Cabinet had, in principle, approved the proposed amendments to the Finas Act, which would now proceed to further consultations with industry stakeholders.
Fahmi added that Finas will continue to engage with various stakeholders, working to refine the proposed amendments.
“It is hoped that once the amendments reach Parliament, possibly during the June session or by the end of the year at the latest, the Act will be updated to better reflect the current era, where audiences no longer only watch films in cinemas but also on their personal devices,” he said.
The proposed changes are aimed at modernising the Finas Act in response to the significant shifts in the film industry, particularly the rise of digital platforms and changes in production techniques. Fahmi highlighted that one of the key objectives of the amendments is to address the dramatic changes in film production while improving governance within Finas, especially following the merger with Filem Negara Malaysia.
“Additionally, the amendments will address internal restructuring within Finas due to this merger. The Act will also assign specific functions to Finas, such as the archiving of film materials,” he explained.
Fahmi had previously stated that his ministry was considering these amendments to ensure Malaysia’s film industry remains competitive in light of the rapid advancements, particularly the growing prominence of online streaming services. - March 19, 2025
