PM term limit: MPs who reject it answerable to their voters - Azalina

 

MPs who refuse to support Putrajaya's proposal to impose term limits on the prime minister should be held accountable by their voters, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said.

Training her gun at the opposition, Azalina (above) said it is imperative for lawmakers to support the reform proposal as it requires a two-thirds majority to be passed by the Dewan Rakyat.

"But if there are MPs who reject this constitutional amendment (proposal), it shows that they do not believe this is something important.

"Perhaps, the MPs should explain themselves to the voters who chose them, explain why they do not want to put a cap on the prime minister's power," the Pengerang MP told reporters after a town hall session in Putrajaya today.

The session was held to gather feedback from civil societies and academicians on the reform initiative, which Putrajaya aims to table by the next Parliament session.

It was among four reforms to be enacted this year as the Madani administration attempts to deliver on its electoral promises.

The proposal would require an amendment to the Federal Constitution, which can only be made possible with the support of at least two-thirds of the Dewan Rakyat's 222 members.

Opposition imposes condition

While Anwar Ibrahim's coalition government already has a two-thirds majority, the opposition said they are also ready to support the proposal, albeit on one condition.

According to opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin, they want it to be accompanied by a clause that also prevents a prime minister from holding the finance portfolio at the same time.

Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin

However, Azalina said the cabinet position is a separate issue and Putrajaya's focus now is to pass a constitutional amendment so it could limit the prime minister's term.

"I understand the elements raised by the opposition chief were about abuse of power.

"But I always question why all these good things... they could have done it when they were in power, and it should have been done then.

"Now this is the step the Madani government is taking, and we hope that we can give more justifications to get more support from MPs," she said.

‘No one is indispensable’

The minister stressed that the spirit of the proposal is to send a message that no one is indispensable.

According to Azalina, the idea of limiting the prime minister's term was not about the quality or values of the leader.

Instead, it is to make sure the powerful position is not seen as something that a person can hold on to indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Azalina said she would present the proposal to the cabinet during its meeting tomorrow for its nod. - Mkini