Don: Putrajaya’s move to limit term of elected govt leader will enhance democratic governance, states should follow suit

KUCHING (Jan 6): Limiting the term of elected government leaders such as the prime minister to a maximum of two terms or 10 years will enhance democratic governance, said Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan.

The political analyst said this would provide for the process of leadership renewal.

Jayum, who is adjunct professor of the Institute of Borneo Studies at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, was asked on whether Sarawak should consider introducing a term limit for the premier’s post following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s indication that a Bill to limit the prime minister’s tenure may be tabled this year.

“If a leader has good ideas to implement for the country, a period of two terms or about 10 years is long enough to bring these ideas out from them.

“But this move is among many long-awaited reforms promised by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim before he became prime minister. This Bill may not be easy to push for in the prevailing political scenario. He has a fragile two-thirds majority. Presently, his PH coalition is facing some uncertainty as Umno is said to be contemplating leaving the coalition,” he told The Borneo Post.

According to Jayum, the limitation of term should not be confined to the federal level alone.

“This limitation can enhance the overall: firstly, political governance; secondly, check on potential concentration and abuse of power; thirdly, leadership renewal,” he opined.

He pointed out that Sarawak is among the few states with the least number of chief ministers.

Sarawak is presently led by its first premier, previously the sixth chief minister, while Penang is also led by its sixth chief minister.

This contrasted with states such as Sabah with its 17th chief minister, while Kelantan and Johor are respectively being led by their 19th menteri besar.

“Limitation of the term of chief ministership or premiership would give the correct message of democracy, accountability, leadership renewal, and checks on potential abuse of power,” Jayum claimed.

“The state already has seen how the rise of (Pehin Sri) Tan Sri Adenan Satem (the late former chief minister) who formed an open approach that endeared him to all ethnic groups alike. Unfortunately, his term was cut shorter by unforeseen circumstances. In any event he has left a legacy although his leadership period was short compared to his two immediate predecessors.”

According to him, having one ethnic group or person leading for too long would lead to “democratic dictatorship”.

On Monday, Anwar announced during a New Year’s special assembly held in Putrajaya that he would revive the reform pledge promised by Pakatan Harapan (PH).

The PH chairman said the Bill to limit the prime minister’s tenure would likely be tabled at the upcoming Parliament sitting at the end of January, alongside another proposed law to separate the powers of the attorney general and the public prosecutor.