Fahmi: Six Government MPs Yet to Submit Explanation Over Absence in PM Term Limit Vote
Prime Minister to decide next steps after reviewing all responses
PUTRAJAYA, March 4 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the government has not taken any action so far against Members of Parliament who were absent during the vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years.
He said the matter has already been brought to the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who will decide on the next course of action after reviewing explanations from the MPs involved.
According to Fahmi, Deputy Prime Minister and government chief whip Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof informed the Cabinet that two of the eight government-aligned MPs who missed the vote have submitted formal explanations for their absence.
However, six others have yet to provide their explanations.
“We have informed the Prime Minister about the situation, and it will be up to him to determine what action should be taken. For now, no action has been taken,” Fahmi said during the ministry’s weekly press briefing here today.
The issue came into focus after the Dewan Rakyat failed to pass the 2026 Constitutional Amendment Bill aimed at introducing a 10-year limit on the prime minister’s tenure.
During Monday’s vote, the bill secured 146 votes in support, falling two votes short of the 148 required to achieve the two-thirds majority needed to amend the Federal Constitution.
A constitutional amendment in Malaysia requires the support of at least two-thirds of Members of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat.
The failure to reach the required threshold meant that the proposed amendment could not proceed to the third reading stage.
Fahmi said the government is currently awaiting explanations from all MPs who were absent before determining whether any disciplinary measures are necessary.
He emphasised that the final decision regarding possible action rests with the Prime Minister after reviewing the explanations submitted.
The proposal to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years had been widely viewed as part of broader institutional reform efforts aimed at strengthening democratic governance in Malaysia.
Supporters of the proposal argued that introducing a term limit could help prevent prolonged concentration of power in the executive branch.
However, the bill’s failure to secure the required parliamentary support has sparked debate over the level of political backing for such reforms.
Reports have also noted that this was the first time a bill proposing amendments to Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution failed to proceed to the final stage and be passed in the Dewan Rakyat.
Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution concerns the appointment of the prime minister.
The outcome has since become a topic of discussion among political observers regarding the future of institutional reform initiatives in Malaysia.
-wilayah.com.my
