Kuala lumpur: Former prime ministers who have served a cumulative 10 years will not be eligible for reappointment once the proposed constitutional amendment Bill comes into effect. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, clarified that the Bill calculates a prime minister's service by total years in office rather than by parliamentary terms.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azalina explained that the amendment allows for current Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to continue serving if he wins the 16th General Election, as he has seven years remaining based on years served. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would have eight years left if reappointed, while Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob would have nine. This was disclosed during a ministerial briefing at Parliament, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and members of both Houses.

Azalina had earlier tabled the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat, with the aim of capping the prime minister's tenure at 10 years. She emphasized that this amendment fulfills a pledge from the 15th General Election manifesto and aligns with the MADANI Government's institutional reform agenda, underscoring the belief that no individual should hold the premiership for more than a decade.

Addressing concerns about the possibility of reversing this move, Azalina noted that any government with a two-thirds majority could amend the constitution. However, she highlighted that the proposed limit applies only to the office of prime minister and does not affect the positions of chief minister or menteri besar, as these fall under state jurisdiction.