Malaysia

Cabinet backs 10-year term limit for prime minister under institutional reform agenda

The Cabinet agrees in principle to limit the tenure of the prime minister to a maximum of 10 years, marking a significant step in the government’s push to strengthen accountability

Updated 9 months ago · Published on 31 Jan 2026 5:20PM

Cabinet backs 10-year term limit for prime minister under institutional reform agenda
Decision by the Cabinet based upon constitutional governance along with democratic checks and balances reforms - January 31, 2026

THE government has agreed to a policy proposal to impose a 10-year limit on the tenure of the prime minister, following a decision reached at the weekly Cabinet meeting held on Thursday.

The decision forms part of the MADANI government’s broader institutional reform agenda and is aimed at reinforcing accountability, strengthening checks and balances, and upholding constitutional-based governance in line with the Federal Constitution.

According to a statement issued in Putrajaya on Friday, the Cabinet arrived at the decision after conducting a comprehensive review of policy inputs, public feedback and recommendations gathered through extensive engagement sessions involving a wide range of stakeholders.

The proposed term limit is intended to prevent the excessive concentration of power, strengthen Malaysia’s democratic system and enhance public confidence in the country’s leadership institutions, in line with practices observed in mature democracies internationally.

Following the Cabinet’s agreement, the government will proceed with the necessary amendments to the Federal Constitution. These amendments are expected to be tabled in Parliament during the current parliamentary sitting.

The statement was issued by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Law and Institutional Reform. - January 31, 2026

Spotlight

Opinion

Can Najib break Madani?

World

Trump offers UFC CEO the position of Press Secretary

Malaysia

Building a great nation begins with happy families, says Anwar

Malaysia

Anwar should sack BN ministers who are not aligned with him – Muhyiddin

Malaysia

AGC rejects claims of defying King’s decree on Najib

Malaysia

Deepavali: Selangor Sultan calls on Malaysians to strengthen unity, reject hatred

Malaysia

If there were still obstacles, why accept the RM50m payment, asks Najib’s daughter

Malaysia

Where did UMNO's RM50 million payment for Najib's release come from?

By The Vibes Says

You may be interested

Malaysia

Man jailed three months for possessing illegal lottery numbers on mobile phone

Malaysia

Armed man chasing car in viral Kuala Lumpur video was police officer, say cops

Malaysia

PM announces additional aid of RM2,500 for each flood victim in Selangor

Malaysia

Woman jailed three months, fined RM5k for concealing birth, disposing baby's body

Malaysia

17-year-old girl found dead near Putrajaya multi-storey car park

Malaysia

Mujahid: Corruption must be rejected, even when committed by our own

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Most Malaysian motorists lack flood cover despite rising disaster losses

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

PH Melaka seeks early voter support for federal government's policy direction