Academician Dr Lt Col (Retired) Ahmad Ghazali Abu Hassan said the prime minister (PM) has not fully adopted separation of powers, claiming that abuse of power is still apparent.
“We must remember that graft happens when full powers are given. I agree that the PM’s term in office must be limited so there will be no abuse of power.
“However, limiting the term is only a small matter because the separation of powers is still not being fully practised in this country,” said Ahmad Ghazali, who is National Council of Professors’ (MPN) politics, security and international affairs cluster committee member.
Last week, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) pro tem Vice-President Mukhriz Mahathir proposed limiting the PM’s service to two terms, which is not more than 10 years.
Mukhriz, who was formerly Kedah menteri besar, claimed that the proposal was to counter crisis management and the abuse of power allegedly seen in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration.
Ahmad Ghazali said the plan had its pros and cons.
“The good thing is that the democratic process of check and balance will be there. The bad thing, however, is the issue of no continuity in leadership.”
Political Analyst Dr Jeniri Amir deemed Mukhriz’s proposal “inappropriate and impractical” as political leaders would not want to step down once they have reached the top.
“Why is it that only now Mukhriz wants to have that proposal when there were calls for his father, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to step down as PM back then?
“Supporters did not want him to step down and urged him to stay in his seat,” he said, noting that Mahathir held the post for 22 years.
Another analyst, Dr Ahmad Atory Hussain, however, said Mukhriz’s proposal could be realised if it is brought to the Dewan Rakyat.
“Countries that practise parliamentary democracy such as Malaysia have never done this (limited terms of office for the PM).
“If it is to be done, the Constitution has to be changed as it is stated that the PM is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the PM must have the support of the majority of the MPs (Article 43(2)(a)).”