Opposition sets conditions for supporting PM term limit bill

SHAH ALAM - The opposition has made it clear that it will only support the 2026 Constitutional (Amendment) Bill to limit the Prime Minister’s term to 10 years if certain conditions are met, including restrictions on holding the Finance Minister portfolio and safeguards for the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Masjid Tanah Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said that the principle of a two-term limit could be upheld while allowing exceptions by the King in special circumstances.

“In addition, a two-term limit is the principle, but the Yang di-Pertuan Agong can still grant exceptions in certain cases and retains the absolute power to appoint a Prime Minister.

“So there is no issue that the opposition will not support this Bill if these amendments are allowed and the conditions are met,” she said.

Mas Ermieyati, Saifuddin and Syahir Sulaiman

She added that during the debate, Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs also highlighted issues requiring attention, including Articles 159(5) and 38(4) of the Federal Constitution, which touch on the privileges of the Malay Rulers.

“This is because it refers to Article 43(2) of the Federal Constitution, which states it is the absolute power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint a Prime Minister. This proposed amendment will limit the absolute power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” she said.

Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah emphasised that limiting the Prime Minister’s term should aim to foster a clean and new political culture rather than simply restrict power.

“The Prime Minister operates within a political culture. That political culture itself must regulate his behaviour, whether his term is limited or not. This Bill also has the potential to produce unintended consequences.

“It limits the term of the Prime Minister, not his ability to become too powerful. In fact, gaps may exist that could make him even more powerful,” he said.

Bachok MP, Syahir Sulaiman, shared that government MPs, including the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, were initially confident the amendment would pass, but after the vote was counted, the government fell short by two votes, receiving only 146 out of 148 votes.

“It is understood that eight government MPs were absent, causing the government to lose. On the opposition side, we carried out our check-and-balance duty in Parliament.

“The government’s responsibility is to ensure all their MPs are present, so a situation does not occur where the government loses but the opposition is blamed,” he said.