June Re-Tabling Offers Chance To Revise Bill Limiting PM’s Tenure - Experts

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) -- The government's commitment to re-table the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 to limit the Prime Minister's tenure to a maximum of 10 years at the next Dewan Rakyat sitting in June demonstrates the administration's strong resolve to improve governance and institutional reform.

Political analysts and constitutional experts view the bill's failure to secure a two-thirds majority on Monday (Feb 2) not as the end point, but instead a golden opportunity to refine the technical gaps and build bipartisan support before it is re-tabled.

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) psychological warfare expert and security & political analyst Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin said the initial tabling of the bill reflected the government's courage in strengthening national governance and preventing long-term dominance of power by certain leaders.

"The tabling of this bill shows elements of the government's openness, particularly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in ensuring the direction and road map of national governance is moving much better.

He added that the period before the bill is re-tabled paves the way for broader discussions among the government, the opposition and the public to refine the draft bill, thereby building a more mature and comprehensive approach to institutional reform.

Echoing the same sentiment, Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the government’s move to bring the amendment to Parliament demonstrated the political courage of the MADANI Government because the reform directly touches on the issue of executive power.

"Although it has not yet been passed, it signals that the government is ready to pave the way for institutional reform. This postponement should be used as a phase for bipartisan negotiations to clarify the mechanisms for implementing the bill, so that the chances of it being passed when re-tabled are higher,” he said.

Awang Azman also reminded the opposition bloc that a neutral stance risks creating negative perceptions among voters, especially the fence-sitters.

"If the opposition continues to remain neutral on issues that are clearly reformist and pro-people, it could create a perception that they are not consistent with the reform agenda. Fence-sitters usually view this attitude as a lack of commitment to reforming the political system,” he said.

Meanwhile, from a legal perspective, Constitutional lawyer GK Ganesan Kasinathan described the government's move to propose the amendment as a bold one because it involves limiting executive power.

However, he emphasised that the period before the bill is re-tabled should be used to address technical gaps in the draft, particularly the mechanism for calculating the length of service.

"The Bill does not say clearly how to count very short periods, for example, a few days during a crisis or what happens if the 10-year mark is reached in the middle of a parliamentary term. These gaps create room for argument and abuse through political 'games’ such as 'over timing’,” he said.

Commenting on the polemic that the proposed amendment would supposedly limit the prerogative powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the lawyer described the argument as baseless.

"Some say it narrows His Majesty's freedom to choose any person who has majority support in the Dewan Rakyat. This argument is infantile. If the Constitution limits the duration of the PM’s tenure, the King cannot override it. 

“However, a slight and properly worded amendment may set conditions like age, citizenship or maximum years of service, without taking over the King's role. A short clause confirming that the King's discretion continues, except that no one over 10 years can be appointed, would calm this concern,” he said. 

The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 to limit the Prime Minister's tenure to 10 years failed to secure the required two-thirds majority after the bloc vote, with 146 Members of Parliament in favour, 32 absent and 44 abstaining.

Any approval of a Federal Constitution amendment Bill requires at least 148 votes.

-- BERNAMA