Commentary: Talk of two-term limit on Malaysia’s PM tenures comes at an interesting time for Anwar

Establishing a two-term limit for the top office has significant advantages for Anwar. It would not entail any financial commitment and, once parliamentary support is established, would not require complicated and lengthy implementation.

It could garner substantial support from within and without the coalition as, if anything, it increases the chances of more parliamentarians getting a shot at the top job. Beyond broad support within PH, some UMNO leaders have supported it.

This idea has generated a range of reactions from the opposition. PAS leader Hadi Awang has said that the move is “against God’s will”, and PAS member of parliament Syahir Suleiman has demanded that any amendments to the Constitution also stipulate that the prime minister needs to be a Muslim.

This defensiveness is likely due to the recognition that a reform of this nature could put wind in Anwar’s sails. But PAS’ position is undercut by the fact that it has supported this very reform on more than one occasion in the past.

This reform could well morph into a win for Anwar. Given Malaysia’s recent run of ruptured prime ministerial terms, as well as Anwar’s circuitous route to the prime ministership, no one would fault him for running for a second term.

Should Anwar steward this change to the rules and then win the next election, it could be the one tangible legacy that clearly distinguishes him from Mahathir – a graceful exit.

Francis E Hutchinson is Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Malaysia Studies Programme, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. This commentary first appeared on the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute’s blog, Fulcrum.