Constitutional amendments will limit the prime minister’s term and separate the attorney-general and public prosecutor roles, marking a major institutional reform.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is set to make history with constitutional amendments that will cap the prime minister’s tenure at 10 years and formally separate the powers of the attorney-general and the public prosecutor – a bold move that underscores Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) push for institutional reform.
DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming said the first reading of the Bill would be tabled in Parliament today, with the second and third readings scheduled for March 2 and 3.
“If approved, Malaysia will become the first Westminster-style parliamentary system in the world to impose a 10-year limit for the prime minister.”
“Until now, only countries with presidential systems, such as the United States, Indonesia, Taiwan and the Philippines, have two-term limits.
“This proves PH’s manifesto promises are being implemented, step by step.”
Nga, who is also Housing and Local Government minister, said the separation of powers between the attorney-general and the public prosecutor would prevent conflicts of interest in prosecutorial decisions.
“The attorney-general will continue to serve as the government’s legal adviser while prosecutorial powers under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution will be fully exercised by a separate public prosecutor’s office.”
This will be the fourth Constitutional amendment under the Madani Government. Previously, the 2024 Constitutional (Amendment) Bill on citizenship was passed and is set to take effect on June 1.
The amendments also aim to strengthen the separation of powers among the legislative, executive and judiciary through the implementation of the Parliamentary Services Act.
“These four constitutional amendments clearly show that reform is gaining momentum and PH’s manifesto promises are being delivered for the benefit of the people.”
Nga was speaking at a Chinese New Year event organised by the Perak Chinese Assembly Hall.
The amendments will undergo their first reading today by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Sun Malaysia
