Azalina: PM term limit and AG/PP separation Bills ready for Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 — A Bill to cap the prime minister's term is prepared for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat, according to Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who is part of the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform). However, she clarified that the decision to introduce the Bill during the upcoming parliamentary session lies with Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Azalina revealed that amending the Federal Constitution to limit the prime minister's tenure necessitates a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament. The same requirement applies to the Bill proposing the separation of the Attorney General's (AG) and Public Prosecutor's (PP) roles, which also demands a two-thirds majority. Azalina urged all Members of Parliament, irrespective of their political allegiance, to support these reforms, stating they could mitigate perceptions of politically motivated prosecutions.

The Attorney General and Public Prosecutor separation Bill is also anticipated to bolster trust in the nation's prosecution system.