Two-term limit proposal can be based on convention, says Opposition

Salahuddin (middle) speaking to the media at the Amanah headquarters on Tuesday.

KUALA LUMPUR: A proposal to limit the prime minister's tenure to two terms can be implemented based on convention and does not necessarily require an amendment to the Federal Constitution, the Opposition claimed.

Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub cited the Britain's practice of a term limit by convention, suggesting that the Opposition could seek a similar avenue for Malaysia if wins the next general election.

He said there were already certain existing conventions that were practised when selecting the prime minister, which were not specifically stated in the Constitution.

"It is not stated in our Constitution that the prime minister and deputy prime minister must be a Malay Muslim, but it has been practised by convention.

"Similarly, this idea can also be implemented by convention.

"If all the MPs in Parliament agree, then we can amend the Constitution with more than two-thirds majority support. Otherwise, it is best to pursue this by convention for the benefit of the people," he told a press conference at Amanah headquarters on Tuesday.

Salahuddin said a two-term limit for the country's premiership was not a new idea as the United States had amended its constitution to institute the practice following the death of its four-term President, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

He also clarified that two terms would amount to 10 years, with each term ending after five years.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Pribumi) vice-president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, who was also present at the press conference, said the two-term limit would prevent abuses of power.

Mukhriz had first mentioned the idea of a two-term limit last week, suggesting that it was a sufficient duration for someone to hold the post.

He said that Pribumi and Amanah had already included a term limit clause in their respective party constitutions.

It would see their party presidents' being confined to a maximum of three terms, with each term lasting three years.

The Jerlun assemblyman, however, admitted that a prime minister's tenure under an Opposition government could be extended beyond two terms under special circumstances, for example if the leader had become "very popular" among the people.

"If there are extraordinary circumstances, maybe that person has become very popular, then we can consider (more than two terms). But by convention, it should be this way," he said.

Mukhriz was coy when asked if the Opposition would moot a similar term limit for the mentri besar and chief minister's posts in the states they control.

"We haven't deliberated on that yet. This could also be a convention at the state level, but right now our focus is on the one with the most power," he added.

Salahuddin and Mukhriz were also in agreement that a Parliament session should last its full five-year term before elections are called so as to allow the government enough time to carry out its plans for the people.

"Under the current practice, there is already speculation of a general election two or three years into the existing term.

"As a result, ministers and their deputies are busy returning to their constituencies to oversee preparations for the election and do not have time to focus on their duties. Their service is not maximised," said Salahuddin.

He added that the Opposition planned on making the term limit proposal a big part of its agenda and would seek consultation with national icons in the field of politics, education, and legislation to further study its feasibility.