Malaysia Moves to Limit Prime Minister’s Tenure to 10 Years Under Proposed Reform

Malaysia Plans 10-Year Cap on Prime Minister’s Tenure to Strengthen Democratic Accountability

Malaysia is set to undergo a significant political reform after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced plans to introduce legislation limiting the tenure of the prime minister to a maximum of 10 years. The proposal, aimed at reinforcing democratic accountability and leadership renewal, fulfils a key pledge made by the ruling coalition during the 2022 general elections.

The reform marks a clear departure from Malaysia’s long-standing system, which places no legal restriction on how long a prime minister can remain in office.

Anwar Ibrahim Announces Landmark Governance Reform

Addressing ministers and senior civil servants during a New Year briefing, Anwar Ibrahim stated that the government would table a bill this year to cap the prime minister’s tenure at two full terms or 10 years . He stressed that political leadership should not become permanent and that healthy democracies require periodic leadership transition.

According to Anwar, allowing new leaders to assume responsibility after a fixed tenure strengthens institutions and prevents excessive concentration of executive power.

Existing System and Historical Background

Malaysia currently has no constitutional or statutory term limit for the office of prime minister. This allowed former leader Mahathir Mohamad to serve for more than 22 years during his first tenure, before stepping down in 2003, and later return to power in 2018 at the age of 92.

Anwar’s proposed reform seeks to avoid such prolonged tenures by introducing a clear upper limit, ensuring regular leadership rotation and institutional balance.

Wider Legal and Institutional Reforms

In addition to the term-limit proposal, Anwar announced several governance reforms designed to improve transparency and accountability. These include legislation to separate the role of the attorney-general as the government’s legal adviser from the position of public prosecutor, a move intended to strengthen prosecutorial independence.

The government also plans to introduce a freedom of information law and establish an independent ombudsman , which would provide citizens with a formal mechanism to address administrative grievances and improve oversight across public institutions.

Political Context and Legislative Path Ahead

The tenure cap was a key promise in the election manifesto of Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan coalition. While no specific date has been announced for tabling the bill, Malaysia’s parliament is scheduled to convene its first session of the year later this month, where the legislation could be introduced.

The reform initiative comes amid heightened public demand for stronger governance standards, particularly following renewed attention to corruption cases involving former prime minister Najib Razak and the 1MDB scandal.

Important Facts for Exams

• Malaysia currently has no legal limit on the prime minister’s tenure.

• The proposed bill caps the tenure at two terms or 10 years.

• Mahathir Mohamad served over two decades as prime minister in his first tenure.

• Ombudsman institutions help enhance transparency and administrative accountability.