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THE proposed legislation to impose a term limit on the Prime Minister will apply exclusively to the holder of the premiership and will not cover menteris besar or chief ministers, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said.
Azalina explained that the bill, once tabled, will cap the Prime Minister’s tenure at a total of 10 years in office, clarifying speculation that the proposed reform could extend to state leadership positions.
She said the government is preparing to table several major reform bills during the first parliamentary sitting, which is scheduled to begin on January 16, following confirmation earlier this month that preparations are progressing as planned.
“Earlier this January, confirmation was given that our preparations are in good order. God willing, during the first parliamentary sitting scheduled to begin on January 16, we will table several major and significant institutional reforms,” she said in her 2026 New Year message today.
“These reforms are intended to steer the country towards changes that will strengthen political financing transparency, enhance government accountability, and improve public awareness and institutional literacy,” she added.
Azalina said one of the key proposals involves a constitutional amendment to separate executive powers from electoral and legal processes, a move that has already received Cabinet approval.
She said the government is also considering Freedom of Information legislation alongside the establishment of an Ombudsman as part of its reform agenda.
“When combined, FOI and an Ombudsman can help improve the quality of public services, protect the public, and strengthen democratic accountability and trust in national institutions,” she said.
Addressing concerns about public understanding of Freedom of Information laws, Azalina said such arguments no longer hold in an increasingly digital world.
“Some argue that the public does not fully understand the concept of FOI. However, in a digital world where information moves rapidly, governments cannot avoid the public’s right to access information,” she said.
She added that digital reform is not confined to major global powers but is equally essential to Malaysia’s governance, noting that extensive research on digital administration has been undertaken by her ministry.
Another key reform under review is the proposed separation of the roles of the Attorney-General and the Public Prosecutor, which Azalina described as fundamental to ensuring an independent and fair prosecution system.
She said the proposal would require sustained political debate in Parliament and continuous policy refinement.
“The establishment of a more independent authority, accompanied by political debate in Parliament, shows that our journey towards this reform requires extensive discussion and continuous refinement,” she said.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim signalled during a special New Year assembly that the government may table a bill this year to impose term limits on the Prime Minister.
He said all positions should be subject to term limits, including the premiership, and confirmed that the government intends to cap the Prime Minister’s tenure at 10 years as part of its broader institutional reform agenda. - January 5, 2025