Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government will table a bill to limit the tenure of the Prime Minister to 10 years or two terms.
This move aims to ensure that national leadership does not remain concentrated in one individual for too long and to provide opportunities for new leaders.
The term limit will also apply to the Chief Secretary to the Government and other senior officials, showing that all levels of administration must be accountable.
According to the Prime Minister, the time limit is important to ensure leadership remains fresh and effective.
In addition, the government plans to introduce a bill to separate the powers of the Public Prosecutor from the Attorney General to ensure that legal processes are free from political influence.
The government is also preparing a bill to establish an Ombudsman. This institution allows people to raise any issues, as action can be taken, from the Prime Minister to the lowest level, in cases of mismanagement or injustice.
The Ombudsman concept has existed in Islamic history as a way to ensure leaders remain accountable to the people.
Furthermore, a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act bill is expected to be tabled, enabling the public to access information related to government projects and tenders, except matters involving security and intelligence.
These measures show the government’s intention to make administration more transparent and open to public monitoring.
For the people, these reforms provide confidence that government power will not be abused and that decisions made can be questioned fairly.
The introduction of term limits, separation of powers and the Ombudsman can also help reduce the concentration of power and make the administrative system more efficient and responsible.
Overall, the bills to be tabled signify the government’s effort to strengthen governance, increase accountability and provide space for the people to be more involved in ensuring the nation’s leadership functions effectively.