Bill to limit PM’s tenure fails to secure two-thirds majority in Dewan Rakyat

Dewan Rakyat crest

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, March 2: The Federal Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which seeks to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to a maximum of 10 years, failed to secure a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The Bill, first tabled on Feb 23 by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, required a two-thirds majority of 148 votes to pass, but only 146 MPs voted in favour. Thirty-two MPs were absent and 44 abstained.

“The amendment has received less than the required two-thirds majority,” said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul after the voting session.

Earlier, 41 MPs from both sides of the House participated in a heated debate over the Bill. In her winding-up speech, Azalina defended the amendment, saying it was intended to safeguard the country’s future.

“If they do not agree with this amendment, that is fine. In the 16th General Election, if they win a two-thirds majority, they can change the Constitution.

“They can keep the Prime Minister under their control forever, even until the end of time. It is entirely up to them,” she said.

The Opposition criticised the Bill, arguing that it should have received approval from the Council of Rulers and raised other procedural concerns.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who tabled the Bill for its second reading, said the amendments were aimed at strengthening institutional reforms and ensuring leadership renewal. — DayakDaily