KUALA LUMPUR – The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which seeks to cap the Prime Minister’s tenure at 10 years, was tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, confirmed that the second reading is scheduled for next week.
Key provisions
The Bill proposes to amend Article 43 of the Federal Constitution by introducing a new Clause (2A), stipulating that a Prime Minister “shall not at any time hold the office for periods amounting in the aggregate to more than ten years, either continuously or otherwise.”
It also sets out new Clauses (4A) to (4D):
Clause (4A): The Prime Minister shall cease to hold office upon reaching the 10-year limit.
Clause (4B): If the Prime Minister ceases to hold office, the Cabinet shall also cease to hold office.
Clause (4C): Provides continuity by allowing the outgoing Prime Minister and Cabinet to perform limited functions until a new Prime Minister is appointed.
Clause (4D): Any period served as Prime Minister before the provision comes into effect will be counted towards the 10-year limit, except for periods when the Prime Minister performs functions after Parliament is dissolved.
“The functions discharged by the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet who have ceased to hold office under the new Clauses (4A) and (4B) are limited to ensure the day-to-day running of the administration until a new Prime Minister and Cabinet members are appointed,” the Bill states.
Consequential amendments
The Bill also makes consequential changes to Clause (5) of Article 43, aligning it with the new provisions on the cessation of office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet. – February 23, 2026