MPs express disappointment as PM term limit amendment fails by two votes

MPs express disappointment as PM term limit amendment fails by two votes

PETALING JAYA: MPs expressed frustration and disappointment after a vote to cap the Prime Minister’s tenure at 10 years fell short in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (March 2).

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he was “deeply saddened” by the outcome, which saw the Constitutional (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 defeated by just two votes.

“For this amendment to be approved, it required the support of two-thirds, or 148 Members of Parliament physically present. The result in support was 146, short by two votes to reach the required majority.

“I want to emphasise that all 40 DAP Members of Parliament were present to support the amendment. DAP has worked wholeheartedly to realise this reform agenda,” he said.

He added that civil society and voters who wish to see institutional reforms should question MPs who were absent or did not support the amendment, including those from the opposition bloc.

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The Bill, tabled for its first reading on Feb 23 by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, sought to amend the Federal Constitution to cap the Prime Minister’s tenure at a maximum of 10 years.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who tabled the Bill for its second reading, said the amendment was intended to strengthen institutional reforms and ensure leadership renewal.

During the bloc vote on Monday, 146 MPs voted in favour, 44 abstained and 32 were absent.

Sim Tze Tzin (PKR–Bayan Baru) described the failed vote as a missed historic opportunity.

“Malaysia missed an opportunity to make our country more democratic,” he said, noting that it required political will for a sitting Prime Minister to back reforms limiting his own tenure.

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“PMX has done his best. However, we are short of two votes. Disappointed,” he added.

Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said this was the first time a Bill under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government had failed.

“The government failed to get a two-thirds majority to amend the constitution this evening in the Dewan Rakyat,” he said.

Conversely, Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin appeared jubilant about the outcome.

“The two-thirds majority was not achieved.

“It feels especially sweet to break the fast today,” she said in a post.