Kuching: The proposal by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to introduce a two-term or 10-year limit for the office of the Prime Minister represents a crucial systemic check on the unlimited power of the sitting prime minister.
It reflects Anwar Ibrahim’s resolve to institute meaningful reforms within the country’s governance system. This proposal would be the first of its kind among Westminster-style systems worldwide.
It is also one of Pakatan Harapan’s long-standing reform agendas, with the clear objective of curtailing excessive Prime Minister power.
In fact, had this provision been in place earlier, many of the wrongdoings and damage caused by Mahathir would have been avoided, and the 1MDB scandal would most likely not have occurred. The idea of one’s prime-ministership lasting only 10 years, coupled with the precedents of ex-prime ministers being convicted of corruption, is an effective check on one’s greed sitting in that position.
DAP Sarawak welcomes this announcement and looks forward to the tabling of the bill in Parliament. As this proposal involves an amendment to the Federal Constitution, it will require a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
All DAP Members of Parliament will be present to cast our votes in support of this constitutional amendment.
As a Sarawakian, I also look forward to a day when similar provisions will be included in the Constitution of the State of Sarawak.
Chong Chieng Jen
DAP Sarawak Chairman
6 January 2026
