Proposal to limit PM's tenure to 10 years needs further refinement

SHAH ALAM – The proposal to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years needs further refinement as there is a difference between the number of years and election terms, which is also linked to the dissolution of Parliament.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Negeri Sembilan information chief Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus said the main question was how the proposal would be implemented if Parliament was dissolved earlier than its full term.

"If the same party wins both the 15th and 16th General Elections, then the 10-year limit might be feasible. But if different parties win, how would the rule apply?

"Are we talking about a full five-year term, or four years, or perhaps just three years if unexpected political changes occur?

"All of this needs to be clarified. Likewise, the 10-year limit itself, does it apply continuously to an individual, or can it be separate over different periods?," he told Sinar.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan Pas Commissioner Mohd Fairuz Mohd Isa said the key issue requiring further examination was whether the term limit applies to the individual or the party.

"If it refers to an individual, where someone can only serve as Prime Minister for 10 years even while continuing to lead the winning party as its president, would the party agree to this?

"For example, in Pakatan Harapan, there are DAP, PKR and Amanah where they agree to appoint a Prime Minister from PKR. It is up to PKR to decide who they want to nominate.

"Would the party agree to appoint someone else if its president has reached the 10-year limit as Prime Minister?

"Typically, the party president is the primary choice for the position. If the president continues to gain public support in elections, logically, they would remain as Prime Minister," he said.