SINCE the content of a speech by DAP secretary general Anthony Loke to the DAP congress that touched on the proposal of limiting the tenure of the prime minister to two terms, there has been uneasiness among PAS leaders.

There was a rant by PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden claiming that the party’s push for a prime minister term limit was an attempt by the “minority” to dictate the “majority” by dismantling the Federal Constitution.

PAS Assistant Secretary-General and Bachok MP Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman shared his belief that the Federal Constitution should be amended on the tenure of the prime minister to include a condition that the Malaysian prime minister should always be someone of the Islamic faith.

It is a pity that an objective view of limiting the prime minister’s term in office has turned into an ethno-religious sentiment, which is uncalled for.

Limiting the tenure of prime minister benefits all including PAS since there will always be refreshed visions of leadership as the country progresses.

Looking from historical perspective and realities of Malaysia’s communal fabric, non-Muslim political leaders have never demanded that the prime minister position should be open to non-Muslims.

For example, the DAP has always supported Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister and has gone far from not demanding more cabinet positions after the 15th general election even though it won more seats than other PH parties and UMNO.

This was to ensure that certain ethno-religious politicians that represent the majority Malay-Muslim community do not manipulate a very fragile situation that could disrupt the stability of the nation.

It is obvious that PAS is bent on turning the substantial proposal of the prime minister’s tenure into ethno-religious sentiment and one wonders whether they are intellectually and morally capable of governing the nation.

Proposals like the term limit of the prime minister is critical since we have a history where power has been concentrated in the hands of the prime minister, resulting in decisions that are self-seeking that have been detrimental to the common good of the country.

Shades of authoritarian rule and crony capitalism in the ‘80s and ‘90s and the 1MDB scandal are examples where power of the prime minister has been left unchecked through blind loyalty besides the price one pays for disloyalty.

Limiting the terms of the prime minister would certainly not solve all problems related to feudalistic politics in Malaysia but it would help ensure policies in the long term are not hijacked by the prime minister who intends to stay on.

Therefore, the Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue (ACID) urges the PAS leadership to look into the proposal of limiting the tenure of prime minister to two terms rationally and humanely if intents to govern the country someday.

Constantly manipulating issues for ethno-religious gains will distance the party from rational-minded Muslims and non-Muslims. – March 19, 2025

Ronald Benjamin is a human resources practitioner based in Ipoh. He is currently secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.

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