Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced plans to submit a bill this year to limit the term of office for the prime minister to no more than 10 years or two terms. This move aims to honor the promise made during the election and also includes introducing a Freedom of Information law and establishing an ombudsman office to strengthen sustainable anti-corruption efforts.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is making a significant change in Malaysian politics by declaring that his government plans to present legislation to Parliament this year to restrict the prime minister's tenure to a maximum of 10 years or only two terms.
During a speech to civil servants after a Cabinet meeting, Anwar emphasized the importance of not clinging to power, stating, "Everyone has their own term," and once completed, "it is better to pass on this role to the next generation."
Currently, Malaysia has no law limiting the prime minister's term. In the past, Mahathir Mohamad served as prime minister for 22 years in his first tenure and returned to office in 2018 at the age of 92, becoming the world's oldest prime minister at that time.
In addition to the term limit, Anwar announced two major transparency reforms: the Freedom of Information Bill to increase public access to government data, and the establishment of an ombudsman office to create a robust oversight mechanism. Anwar stressed, "There are no exceptions. From the prime minister down, everyone must be accountable and ready for scrutiny."
These reforms come amid concerns about political interference in the justice system. The attorney general has frequently faced questions about independence due to being appointed by the prime minister. This move aligns with the high-profile 1MDB scandal, where Malaysia's High Court recently sentenced former prime minister Najib Razak to an additional 15 years in prison for abuse of power and money laundering.
The term limit bill is expected to be included on the agenda for the first parliamentary session starting later this month, fulfilling the promise made by the Pakatan Harapan coalition to the public during the 2022 election.
/CNA