PM term limit, AG-PP split: DAP wants both Bills tabled in Oct-Dec sitting

DAP is urging the Malaysian government to reintroduce two constitutional reform Bills during the upcoming parliamentary sitting, which commences on October 5 and concludes on December 8. The chairman of the DAP, Gobind Singh Deo, stated that both drafts are prepared and should be presented to the House for consideration. The proposed amendment to the prime minister’s term limit seeks to restrict a prime minister’s tenure to a maximum of 10 years, a measure that previously fell short of the necessary two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat in March.

The prime minister himself, Anwar Ibrahim, will ultimately decide whether to bring the Bill to the floor, while the drafts are subject to his approval. Aside from the prime ministerial term-limit amendment, DAP also seeks to separate the attorney general’s role as the government’s legal counsel from that of the public prosecutor, who oversees criminal prosecutions.

This proposal has already been referred to a parliamentary special select committee for further review, with the revised version now ready for debate. The separation is expected to grant Parliament a greater role in overseeing the appointment of the public prosecutor, ensuring a more transparent and politically impartial process.

Furthermore, DAP has highlighted the need to address the vacancy in the attorney general’s post and promote equal representation for elected officials.