THE government has expressed confidence that the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which seeks to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years, will secure approval in the next parliamentary session.
Deputy Prime Minister II and Chief Government Whip Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the assurance stems from the support of a majority of Members of Parliament for the proposed reform, even though the Bill narrowly failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority during last Monday’s vote.
“Two members of Parliament have sent official letters explaining the reason for their absence, while several others have also informed the same verbally.
“Some are stranded abroad due to the lack of flights… except Bukit Gantang, who said he did not agree, the others all supported it.
“It was just a coincidence that the situation at that time prevented them from attending,” Fadillah told reporters after breaking fast with staff from the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation on Wednesday.
Madani Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that the Bill will be re-tabled during the Dewan Rakyat session in June, following approval at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Fadillah emphasised that the proposed amendment reflects the government’s commitment under Anwar’s leadership to reform the country’s administrative system. He also noted that the amendment would not affect the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Malay Rulers’ institution.
During the last vote, 146 MPs supported the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, while 32 were absent and 44 abstained. Passage requires the backing of at least 148 MPs, representing a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
The government maintains that the resubmission of the Bill, with the majority of MPs expected to be present, will allow it to successfully enact the measure, limiting the tenure of Malaysia’s Prime Minister and reinforcing the commitment to administrative reform. - March 5, 2026
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