PUTRAJAYA: The proposal to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years or two terms is a game changer capable of bringing major reforms to the country’s governance system, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the proposal was suggested by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim himself during a special Cabinet meeting on Monday (Jan 5) and was agreed to by all its members.
He said the term limit is important to prevent a prime minister from holding office for too long, which could lead to leadership fatigue, even if the individual performs well.
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"This is a game changer and, in my view, we do not want a prime minister to ... overstay his or her welcome. No matter how good one’s performance is, staying too long can lead to a saturation effect.
"This is a good step proposed by the Prime Minister himself,” he told reporters after delivering his ministry’s 2026 New Year message here on Tuesday (Jan 6).
In his New Year address on Monday, Anwar said a Bill to limit the prime minister’s tenure to no more than 10 years or two full terms would be presented during the next parliamentary session, which begins on Jan 19.
The Bill is among four key pieces of legislation to be tabled as part of Parliament’s direction for this year. – Bernama
