Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has voiced support for a proposal to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years, stressing the need for bipartisan backing to amend the Federal Constitution.
“There is a proposal, and I agree with it. Currently, a Prime Minister can serve up to 22 years. I support the limitation,” he said at DAP’s National Congress on Sunday (March 16).
However, he noted that discussions were still ongoing to secure the necessary two-thirds parliamentary majority before moving forward.
“We must build this through dialogue and consensus. We need to explain, listen, and ensure readiness before pushing for an amendment. If we obtain the majority, we can even introduce it in the next parliamentary session,” he stated.
Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, cautioned against prematurely tabling the motion without securing firm commitments, citing concerns about the opposition’s shifting stance on constitutional amendments.
“Do not bring forth a motion unless the numbers are secured, because we cannot trust what the opposition claims. Their position can change over time,” he said.
He also assured that he had no intention of overstaying his tenure.
“Don’t worry, there’s no chance I would want to continue beyond 10 years. Even after two years, I’m already exhausted,” he joked.
His remarks were in response to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who had earlier expressed the party’s hopes for the reform to be implemented within the next two years.
“I agree with limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years, because we know that if it’s 22 years, rosak negara (it damages the country),” Anwar said, in an apparent reference to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first 22-year tenure as Prime Minister.
Anwar added that the proposal has the full backing of PKR and Pakatan Harapan, further reinforcing his commitment to the reform.