The law and institutional reform minister said this in reference to the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which is aimed at limiting the prime minister’s term to 10 years, Bernama reported.

“That is why the 10th prime minister, Anwar, should be respected and commended, because he is willing to limit his own tenure.

“Which means, with the limit set at 10 years, and he has already served three years, so, he would only be able to continue (as PM) for another seven years,” she was quoted as saying during a question-and-answer session at the Madani Accountability Framework 2026 Town Hall programme in Bangi today.

According to Azalina, the proposal reflects efforts to reform institutions to ensure that the principles of checks and balances and limitations on power can be implemented in the country’s democratic system.

To realise the reform agenda, Azalina said all MPs must support the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years, when it is tabled again in the Dewan Rakyat this June.

The bill failed to get the required two-thirds majority vote in the Dewan Rakyat when it was first tabled last March.

At the time, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul reportedly said 146 MPs voted in favour of the bill, while 32 were absent and 44 did not vote. The constitutional amendment required at least 148 votes to be passed.

Azalina said she was disappointed by the outcome, adding that it was partly due to the absence of several MPs, including two from Barisan Nasional and one from Pakatan Harapan.

“Why didn’t they come? Why didn’t they vote? They gave many reasons. They said they were sick, forgot about the vote, or were in the hospital, and so on.

“They can give me any reason, but voters should criticise and question them. That is your responsibility,” she was quoted as saying.

Azalina stressed that MPs, including those opposed to a bill, still have a responsibility to attend parliamentary sittings so that their support or objections can be officially recorded.

She said the amendment on limiting the prime minister’s tenure is important to prevent excessive centralisation of political power.

“I don’t want anyone to remain as the prime minister forever. I think it’s not good for the country if you don’t have limitation of political power.

“One should not be prime minister forever,” she said.