Dr M: Do you want me to be PM at 100?

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today dodged a question on whether the impending constitutional amendment bill to prevent a lawmaker from serving more than two terms as prime minister can be applied retroactively.

Mahathir (photo) has served five full terms as prime minister from 1981 to 2003. He is currently 19-months into his sixth term.

When asked about the actual implication of the bill at the parliament lobby, Mahathir wryly replied: "I'm 94 years old. You want me to be PM at 100?".

The federal government will table a bill to amend Article 43 (2)(a) of the Federal Constitution by inserting a new provision which stipulates that the candidate "has not at any time held the office of prime minister for two terms of Parliament".

This amendment bill is to be tabled today. However, the debate and voting on it will only take place during the next session of Parliament in March.

As this is a constitutional amendment bill, the federal government will need the support of two-thirds of the member of Parliament.

So far, the federal government has made two attempts to amend the federal constitution - once to lower the voting age and to change the status of Sabah and Sarawak. Only one received bi-partisan support and was passed. - Mkini