THE Bill (RUU) to limit the term of office of the Prime Minister to 10 years can be re-tabled at the Dewan Rakyat at any time.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil explained that the matter does not affect the current MADANI Government, but is part of the institutional reform efforts being brought in to ensure good governance in the future.
"We can bring it back. I think some of the things raised by the opposition were explained in the winding up, and I believe if they really understood, maybe this would give us some space and opportunity to continue the engagement session, but whether they are sincere and genuine, or they have different intentions.
"But I hope this is not a party issue; this is an issue of good governance, placing rights and restrictions on the Prime Minister's term of office to ensure that there is a principle of accountability," he said.
He said this at a press conference after accompanying Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to officiate the National Fraud Response Centre (NSRC) at the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Tower today.
Also present was Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He added that in the Government bloc, several Members of Parliament were absent during yesterday's voting session, and they may be asked to explain to their respective Chief Whips.
"We have checked with the Government Supporters Club and the Chief Whip's Office. It was found that the Pakatan Harapan bloc recorded 100 per cent attendance. Everyone was present and voted in favour.
"Three Barisan Nasional MPs were absent, one from GPS, one from GRS, one from Parti Bangsa Malaysia and two Independent MPs. Each of them, when asked, gave various reasons.
“But the instruction from the chief whip and the government’s chief whip, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, was for all government MPs to be present," he said.
He said various reasons were given for their absence, including hospitalisation, religious obligations and traffic congestion.
Fahmi, who is also the Unity Government spokesperson, also regretted the action of Opposition MPs who attended the Dewan Rakyat session yesterday but did not vote on the motion.
"44 opposition MPs attended but did not vote. The action raises questions about whether they do not support efforts to limit the Prime Minister's powers and term of office.
"This proves that they do not intend to impose any restrictions and may not agree with this reform. So, we are very sorry about this matter," he added.
Yesterday, the Dewan Rakyat did not pass the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 to limit the Prime Minister's term to 10 years.
This was after the bill failed to gain the support of two-thirds of the Members of Parliament, when only 146 Members of Parliament supported it, while 32 Members of Parliament were absent and 44 Members of Parliament abstained.
The result of the split vote was announced by the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, after it was debated by 41 Members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition.
Any approval of the Bill to amend the Federal Constitution requires the support of at least 148 Members of Parliament. – March 3, 2026
