Kuala lumpur: A motion to reintroduce a constitutional amendment Bill to limit the Prime Minister's tenure to a maximum of 10 years can be retabled for consideration at any time during the next parliamentary sittings, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil stated. "We can retable the motion at any time during the parliamentary sittings. There are two more meetings this year, around June and October, and we can bring it back," he mentioned following the launch of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the NSRC, located in the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Tower 2, was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Fahmi emphasized that the Bill carries no implications for the government or the Prime Minister personally. He further noted that some lawmakers suggested the failure to pass the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Parliament yesterday signaled support for the Prime Minister to serve beyond 10 years. Fahmi clarified that this is not the Prime Minister's intention, but it reflects the opposition's signal.
Fahmi remarked that the constitutional amendment should be seen as institutional reform focused on strengthening governance and accountability rather than as a partisan issue. He questioned the importance of accountability for all Members of Parliament (MPs). Regarding the attendance of MPs during the bloc voting, Fahmi said all Pakatan Harapan bloc representatives were present and voted for the amendment. However, eight government MPs were absent, including members from Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bangsa Malaysia, and two independents.
Instructions had been issued for all government MPs to attend, and those absent were required to explain themselves to their respective party chief whips and the government chief whip. "The Chief Whip, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, expressed dissatisfaction that some government MPs were still absent despite instructions for all to be in the chamber," Fahmi said. He also highlighted that 44 opposition MPs who were present abstained from voting, indicating their reluctance to support restrictions on the Prime Minister's tenure.
Fahmi stated that while the government bloc's attendance is a duty and responsibility, the opposition bloc's attendance is not a concern. The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 failed to secure the required two-thirds majority yesterday, with 146 MPs voting in favor, 32 absent, and 44 abstaining. Any amendment to the Federal Constitution requires the support of at least 148 MPs.