Don't turn PM term limit into shallow racial issue, Anwar tells opposition

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged opposition leaders to engage in a healthy debate when discussing the plan to limit the prime minister’s tenure to two terms.

According to Anwar’s senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, the premier wished to remind them not to turn the well-intended reform into a shallow racial issue.

“This move is intended to ensure continuity of a clean administration and a better-managed system, and prevent centralisation of power that would open room to abuse of power and misappropriation.

“Several other countries have also adopted this approach, like our neighbour, Indonesia.

“On top of this, the move to limit the prime minister’s tenure also takes into account the current and future geopolitical landscape, which requires the vision of all parties to give opportunity to new leaders.

“The prime minister wishes to remind certain quarters from the opposition bloc to not turn this well-intended effort into a shallow racial political issue,” said Nashrul during the Prime Minister’s Office daily briefing.

The prime minister’s senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah

Adding further, he said the plan in no way violates the Federal Constitution and is an important move for the country’s maturity in democracy.

Nashrul said the prime minister also called any MP who opposes the idea of limiting the prime minister’s term to read his “Membangun Bersama Madani” book before making any reckless criticism.

Yesterday, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke suggested the government implement several promised reforms which have yet to be fulfilled, including limiting a prime minister’s term in office, and the separation of judicial powers.

The remarks had been met with a racially charged response from PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, who viewed the suggestion as an attempt by the “minority” to dictate the “majority” by dismantling the Constitution.

Another PAS leader, Bachok MP Syahir Sulaiman, meanwhile had said the topic is open for discussion but with the condition that the prime minister position is set exclusively for Muslims. - Mkini