SHAH ALAM, Feb 3 — A proposed policy to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years or two terms could create broader opportunities for younger leaders — including those in their early 30s — to lead the country in the future.
Political analyst from Pusat Perdana, Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur, Associate Professor Dr Mazlan Ali, said the reform aligns with practices in developed nations that promote younger leadership through term limits for heads of government.
He said the policy would allow for a more structured leadership transition while ensuring continuity of people-centric policies under new leaders.
“A two-term limit allows younger leaders to prepare to take over, as seen in Western countries, particularly in Europe, where some become prime ministers in their early 30s.
“In Malaysia, we also have young leaders who can be brought forward. Without term limits, there is a risk of leaders attempting to cling to power.
“That is why, in our history, there have been prime ministers who served as chief executive for more than 20 years,” he said, as quoted by BH Online.
Previously, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said was reported as saying that the government would amend the Federal Constitution to strengthen the policy of limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years or two full terms.
The proposal was agreed upon at the Cabinet’s weekly meeting, with the constitutional amendment expected to be tabled in Parliament this year.
Mazlan described the two-term limit as a positive step towards securing a stronger future for the country.
He said the approach reflects Malaysia’s progress in administrative reform and is in line with democratic practices in developed countries such as Britain, the United States and Indonesia, which also adopt similar policies.
“In reality, what is being implemented here is consistent with global democratic developments. Limiting a Prime Minister to two terms will result in more transparent governance and administration.
“This is because the Prime Minister is restricted to two terms, which helps prevent political misconduct, corruption and abuse of power,” he said.
Mazlan added that two terms are sufficient for a Prime Minister to plan, implement, evaluate and deliver policies before leadership is handed over to the next generation.
