KUALA LUMPUR: The Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2026 to limit the Prime Minister's tenure limit to two terms failed to receive approval from the Dewan Rakyat after bloc vote.
The Bill, tabled for first reading on Feb 23 by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
The amendment is to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to a term of 10 years.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdullah called for the voting process which saw 146 votes approving the amendment.
“Those who were not present today for the voting are 32 MPs and 44 who had abstained from voting.
“Those who voted for the amendment are 146 MPs. The amendment has received less than the required two-thirds majority,” he said after the voting session at the Dewan Rakyat here, Monday (March 2).
Earlier, 41 MPs from both sides of the divide debated on the matter.
During the winding up speech for the debate session, Azalina reminded the Lower House that the amendment is to serve the future of the country.
“If they (the Opposition) do not like the amendments, then make sure that they gain more than two-thirds majority in the 16th General Election and change the amendments. They can put a prime minister forever until the end of days,” she told the Dewan Rakyat.
The Bill, however, received heavy criticism from the Opposition bloc stating that the amendments should have, among others, received approval from the Council of Rulers.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who tabled the Bill for its second reading, said the amendments would strengthen institutional reforms and ensure leadership renewal.
