TWO constitutional reform Bills are ready to return to the Dewan Rakyat, but whether they are put to a vote will depend on Prime Minister and Leader of the House Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
She said the Federal Constitution (Amendment) (No. 1) Bill 2026, which seeks to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure, and the Federal Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026, aimed at separating the powers of the Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor, both require a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
"(The decision) on whether we want to bring the two Bills to a vote during this session is subject to Anwar because both require a two-thirds majority (of Dewan Rakyat members).
"Therefore, local politics plays a role (in determining the outcome of the vote on the amendments)," said the Pengerang MP after the launch of a public opinion survey on the drafting of the Coroner’s Bill in Kuala Lumpur today.
The proposed limit on the Prime Minister’s tenure suffered a setback in March when the Dewan Rakyat rejected the Bill after it failed to secure the required two-thirds majority.
A total of 146 MPs voted in favour, while 32 were absent and 44 abstained after 41 government and Opposition MPs took part in the debate.
The outcome prevented the Bill, which sought to amend Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, from proceeding to its third reading and final approval.
The second constitutional reform Bill, meanwhile, was referred to the Dewan Rakyat Special Select Committee after its second reading.
The proposed separation of the Attorney-General’s and Public Prosecutor’s roles is intended to allow greater scrutiny and refinement of the reforms before the legislation proceeds further.
Azalina urges MPs to back reforms
Azalina also urged all MPs to support both constitutional amendments, saying the reforms would benefit the country.
"This (Constitution (Amendment) Bill (No. 2)) can reduce the perception of political prosecution in any case. So I very much hope that members of the Dewan Rakyat, Dewan Negara and political parties will welcome this Bill.
"This Bill brings more benefits than disadvantages, and this amendment is for our country. If possible, I do not want to hear people saying there is 'something fishy' or that there is a hidden agenda whenever prosecutions (against political leaders) are carried out.
"God willing, the separation (of the powers of the Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor) will provide greater confidence, especially when the Public Prosecutor is appointed through a parliamentary process," she said. - September 3, 2026
