Former prime ministers who have served 10 years cannot return if the new constitutional amendment passes, says minister Azalina Othman Said.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime ministers who have already served a cumulative 10 years will be ineligible for reappointment under a proposed constitutional amendment.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the Bill calculates service by total years in office, not by parliamentary terms.
She provided examples of current serving leaders and their remaining eligibility.
“For example, if PMX wins the 16th General Election and wishes to continue, he can because, based on years served, he would still have seven years remaining,” she said.
Azalina stated that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would have eight years left if reappointed, while Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob would have nine.
She tabled the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat earlier today.
The amendment seeks to cap the prime minister’s tenure at 10 years.
Azalina said the change fulfils a manifesto pledge from the 15th General Election.
She stressed it reflects the government’s institutional reform agenda.
“No individual should hold the premiership for more than a decade,” she told reporters after a ministerial briefing.
The proposed limit applies only to the office of the prime minister.
It does not affect the positions of chief minister or menteri besar, which are state matters.
When asked if future governments could reverse the amendment, Azalina acknowledged the possibility.
Any administration commanding a two-thirds majority in Parliament holds the prerogative to amend the constitution.
The briefing was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and members of both Houses.