THE Malaysian government’s proposed policy to restrict the Prime Minister’s term to a maximum of ten years or two full terms is expected to create opportunities for younger leaders to ascend to the nation’s highest office.
Associate Professor Dr Mazlan Ali, a political analyst at the Perdana Centre, Razak Faculty, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said such reform is feasible and mirrors international practices where young leaders are encouraged to govern within defined term limits.
“Two-term limits for the Prime Minister allow young leaders to prepare to take over the administration, similar to Western countries, particularly in Europe, where some prime ministers assume office in their early 30s,” he told reporters.
Dr Mazlan emphasised that in Malaysia, capable young leaders exist and could be promoted, but without term limits, there is a risk of leaders seeking to retain power indefinitely. “This is why, historically, we have had Prime Ministers who led as chief executives for more than 20 years,” he said.
Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Law and Institutional Reforms, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, indicated that several amendments to the Federal Constitution would be made to formalise the proposed policy, which has already received approval in weekly Cabinet meetings. The constitutional amendments are expected to be tabled in Parliament this year.
Dr Mazlan added that limiting the Prime Minister to two terms would enhance governance and ensure continuity in policy implementation.
“Such a reform aligns Malaysia with global democratic trends. A Prime Minister limited to two terms fosters transparency, reduces political misconduct, prevents abuse of power, and promotes responsible administration,” he said.
He further noted that the two-term policy would provide sufficient time for a Prime Minister to plan, execute, review, and deliver policies before passing leadership to the next incumbent, ensuring long-term benefits for the country. - February 3, 2026
