Limiting the Prime Minister’s Tenure: A Necessity or a Choice?
On 2 March 2026, the Dewan Rakyat considered at second reading the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which sought to impose an aggregate maximum of ten years on the tenure of any person as Prime Minister, whether served continuously or otherwise. The Bill failed to secure the constitutionally required majority, falling two votes short of the 148-vote threshold. In the voting session, 146 members voted in favour, 44 abstained and 32 were absent. Under Article 159(3) of the Federal Constitution, a constitutional amendment must generally be supported at both the Second and Third Readings by not less than two-thirds of the total membership of each House of Parliament.

