Proposed term limit for all lawmakers offers ‘fresh perspectives’, says Academician

KUCHING (July 31): An academician has proposed the implementation of a term limit for all Malaysian lawmakers.

The suggestion by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia’s Faculty of Syariah and Law Associate Professor Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow came following news about the government considering a 10-year, or two-term, limit for the Prime Minister.

In his argument, he said applying this to both elected parliamentary and state representatives should introduce ‘fresh perspectives’ and also reduce the risk of power abuse.

“As the government is considering to study a plan to limit the service term of the Prime Minister to 10 years, or two terms, in terms of period of service, it can seriously consider applying similar limitation for all of our people’s representative, at both parliamentary and state levels, to 10 years, or two terms.

“By limiting the period of service, it would allow more suitable and qualified candidates to come forward and contest in the elections, and become good people’s elected representatives in Parliament and the DUNs (State Legislative Assemblies),” he said in a statement yesterday.

Muzaffar Syah also argued that having been in service for too long, some politicians could eventually become complacent, and this could potentially lead to corruption and misconduct.

“Thus, by rotating new candidates into these positions, I believe that the country can benefit from innovative ideas and much improved governance.

“Moreover, byy enforcing this term limit, it would also ensure that no individual would hold on to power for a very long time, which could expose them to the risk of power abuse, corruption and other misconducts.

“I think many Malaysians are already fed up with looking at the same faces and listening to old ideas whenever they read the news,” he said.

According to Muzaffar Syah, the Malaysian law currently does not impose any term limits for politicians.

“I think, and suggest, that these things should be addressed through constitutional amendments.

“A special committee of legal experts could be formed to explore this proposal in detail too.”