At DAP congress, Anwar backs 10-year PM limit, says ‘22 years, rosak negara’

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today agreed that a Malaysian prime minister’s term should be capped at a maximum of 10 years, but said he still needs to get the support of two-thirds of MPs to change the Federal Constitution to carry out this reform.

Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, was responding to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke expressing the party’s hopes for this reform to be carried out within the next two years.

“I agree with limiting the position of prime minister to 10 years, because we know, if 22 years, rosak negara (damage to the country),” he said at the DAP’s 18th national congress at Shah Alam.

While Anwar did not elaborate on his remark on 22 years, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had previously been the prime minister for 22 years in his first stint.

“I agree, but we are negotiating to get the support of all parties so that there is two-thirds. Don’t worry, if it’s me, impossible to go beyond 10 years, even two years already tired.

Anwar said it was not just him who agreed to limiting the prime minister’s tenure, but said both his party PKR and the coalition Pakatan Harapan also agree to this proposal.

But he said there was a need to build consensus and to discuss and negotiate this with MPs, saying that the government would amend the Federal Constitution in the coming parliamentary meeting if there is two-thirds support.

He cautioned against tabling this proposed law change in Parliament without sufficient support of MPs, as he said the federal Opposition cannot be trusted to provide support as they could change their stand.

Anwar acknowledged that there were promises of reforms that have yet to be fulfilled by PH, including the 10-year limit for the prime minister post.

“If you ask me, if it is my absolute power, tomorrow I would approve it. But you know, I’m not a dictator. In all decisions, I have to discuss. In all decisions involving amending the Federal Constitution, I need to get two-thirds consensus,” he said.

“But I want to give an assurance to my friends, DAP, we will never compromise on the core policies and values of this country, which means a democratic society, a just society, where no one should be marginalised or discriminated against. That is our policy and that policy remains,” he added.

Among other things, Anwar said the current government holds firmly to its decision to carry out reforms, but cited historical examples abroad when cautioning that being too hasty in carrying out reforms could lead to tensions.

Anwar said he was not giving excuses for purportedly not carrying out reforms, and listed various legal reforms such as the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Parliamentary Services Bill, on government procurement, and the amendment to the Federal Constitution to enable Malaysian mothers’ overseas-born children to be entitled to Malaysian citizenship.

Anwar said there is no interference from him or his government in the courts’ decisions, and said they would not compromise on the principle of the independence of the judiciary.