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View all search resultsMalaysia to push for two-term limit for prime ministers
In a speech to civil servants, Anwar said his administration will table a parliamentary bill to limit the tenure of prime ministers to a maximum of 10 years, a measure that was part of his ruling coalition's election pledges in 2022.
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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers his speech during the 58th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers' Meeting at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 9, 2025. (Reuters/Hasnoor Hussain)
M
alaysia aims to implement a slew of institutional reforms this year and next, including a two-term limit for the premiership, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday, amid renewed calls for sweeping changes to tackle corruption and improve governance.
In a speech to civil servants, Anwar said his administration will table a parliamentary bill to limit the tenure of prime ministers to a maximum of 10 years, a measure that was part of his ruling coalition's election pledges in 2022.
“Everyone has a term limit, the Chief Secretary to the Government cannot be up to 10 years. It also applies to everyone… it is better for us to hand it over to the next generation.
“This also applies to the Prime Minister’s Department, so we will table a bill to limit the term of office of the prime minister to no more than 10 years or two full terms,” said Anwar in his speech at a special address in Putrajaya on Monday.
Historically, Malaysia had no term limits for its prime ministers, allowing them to serve indefinitely as long as they maintain parliamentary support. In 2019, a bill was introduced to cap the tenure at two terms to prevent power abuse, but it failed to become law.
He said a bill to separate the attorney-general's role as the government's top legal adviser from the function of leading public prosecutor will also be tabled when parliament reconvenes for its first sitting of the year this month.
The independence of Malaysia's attorneys-general has often been questioned as they are appointed by the prime minister, prompting concerns about political interference in the judicial process.
The government also aims to introduce an ombudsman law to strengthen transparency in the public sector and provide the public with a formal channel to raise governance complaints, Anwar said.
A freedom of information law has also been proposed to prevent abuse of power in government projects, he added.
Anwar took office in 2022 on an anti-corruption platform but has faced accusations of backsliding on promised reforms, and his pledge to crack down on graft has also come under intense scrutiny.
The premier has said the government has been working hard to address governance issues and eliminate graft, but he has acknowledged the challenge of stamping out systemic corruption.
