Malaysia

DAP calls for greater progress on institutional reforms

Among the reforms DAP wants to see move forward are the separation of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor roles and a proposed two-term limit for prime ministers.

Updated 6 hours ago · Published on 17 Aug 2026 12:14PM

DAP calls for greater progress on institutional reforms
DAP remained committed to seeing the reforms carried through - August 17, 2026

by Alfian Z.M. Tahir

DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo has called for progress on several institutional reforms after the party decided to remain in the Federal Government for the rest of the current parliamentary term.

Among the reforms DAP wants to see move forward are the separation of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor roles and a proposed two-term limit for prime ministers.

Gobind said he hoped the Bills could be passed by the end of the year, while stressing that the party’s decision to remain in government should be accompanied by progress on its reform agenda.

“I urge Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to take immediate action to realise these reforms. There must be clear, unyielding timelines set for foundational institutional reforms,” he said in a statement today.

Gobind, who is also Digital Minister, said the groundwork for the proposed changes was already in place, including the Bill to separate the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor roles and the proposal to limit prime ministers to two terms.

He also said amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and the Peaceful Assembly Act should be brought forward.

A ministerial statement on Sosma amendments was tabled in Parliament in February last year, while discussions on changes to the Peaceful Assembly Act had been ongoing for several months, he clarified.

Gobind suggested that the government could consider adding sitting days to the Dewan Rakyat calendar or holding a special sitting to give MPs more time to debate the reform Bills.

He pointed to the recent special sitting on the Royal Commission of Inquiry report into Tabung Haji as an example.

“The government had acted with speed by holding a special parliamentary session for the RCI report on Tabung Haji.

“A similar route ought to be taken for these crucial reform Bills, or additional sitting days must be added to the upcoming Dewan Rakyat session specifically dedicated to these,” he added.

He stressed that DAP remained committed to seeing the reforms carried through, adding that the party hoped the Bills could be passed before the year ends.

The call comes after DAP delegates voted overwhelmingly on Aug 16 to remain in the unity government until the end of the current parliamentary term.

A total of 1,857 delegates, or 88%, voted for the party to stay, while 242 voted to leave.

The result was announced by national congress chairman Chua Kee Chin at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

Of the 2,230 delegates who attended the special congress, 2,106 ballot papers were issued and returned. There were 2,099 valid votes and seven spoiled ballots. – August 17, 2026

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