Former minister Zaid Ibrahim says a general election could be an option if the government cannot secure support for key reforms like the PM term limit.
PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has suggested that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could consider calling a general election after the government was unable to secure the necessary support for a constitutional amendment to limit the tenure of the prime minister.
He said the outcome highlighted the challenges in building broad political consensus for institutional reforms, adding that returning the mandate to voters is one way to address such situations democratically.
“If the government cannot obtain sufficient support for what it regards as an important reform, then the proper course is to dissolve Parliament and let the rakyat decide,” he told theSun.
His comment follows the government’s proposal to amend the Federal Constitution to impose a two-term limit on the prime minister, a measure requiring a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, which fell short last Monday.
Zaid described the proposed amendment as more symbolic than structural, adding that countries practising the Westminster system generally do not set term limits for their prime ministers.
“There is no country practising the Westminster model that limits its prime minister to two terms.
“The idea usually exists in presidential systems,” he said, explaining that in such systems, the president is directly elected and appoints Cabinet members at their discretion.
“In Malaysia’s parliamentary system, voters elect MPs, from whom the Cabinet is formed.
“Accountability exists through Parliament and elections, in which governments could be removed if they lose lawmakers’ or voters’ support.”
He also said the Opposition raised valid concerns about the amendment, adding that simply capping the prime minister’s tenure might not bring significant change.
