A historic law to limit the term of the prime minister to 10 years will be among four reforms to be enacted in 2026 as the Madani administration attempts to deliver on its electoral promises.
In a special New Year’s announcement, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the bill to limit a prime minister’s tenure to two terms will be tabled in Parliament sometime this year.
“Every person has their time limit. If you are given a period of time, do everything (you need to) in that time – after that, it is better to hand things over to the next generation,” he said in his speech during the Prime Minister’s Department’s (PMD) monthly assembly this morning.
“For those who clapped, does that mean you don’t want me anymore?” he joked in response to those applauding his announcement.
During DAP’s national congress last year, Anwar hinted that he would not hold the post beyond two terms or a maximum of 10 years.
In a subtle jab at former two-time prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar said that a prime minister’s term reaching 22 years will “destroy the country”.
Mahathir replied with a disagreement to the proposal, saying a decade is not enough to implement successful progress.
Another law aimed at strengthening law enforcement and the fight against graft is a bill to separate the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) from the public prosecutor’s office, which Anwar said will be the first to be tabled.
The long-awaited reform was promised as early as 2018, in Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto for the 14th general election.
FOI Act can curb power abuse
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill is also expected to be tabled this year, along with one to create an ombudsman office.
The FOI Act will allow anyone in Malaysia to request information on government decisions, while the ombudsman office is an entity to investigate maladministration in government entities.
“Many have expressed concerns (regarding the FOI Bill), but I would like to give my assurance that while we have to make exceptions for matters of national security and intelligence, other (queries concerning) tenders, contracts, and projects (will be allowed),” Anwar said.
He also encouraged such requests for details, highlighting that the matter should be viewed as part of efforts to avoid abuse of power.
In November last year, Prime Minister’s Department legal affairs division director-general Zamri Misman said the cabinet had deferred the tabling of the Ombudsman Bill and FOI Bill to early 2026 to allow more refinements and engagements.
The deferment will give the AGC sufficient time to review both bills and ensure alignment, legal consistency, and support across all levels of government, he added. - Mkini
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