KUALA LUMPUR, 20 February 2026 – The Malaysian government will introduce two major constitutional reform Bills in Parliament on Monday (23 February) aimed at strengthening democratic governance and institutional independence, officials confirmed.
Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the Bills will be tabled for their first reading in the Dewan Rakyat, with scheduled second readings set for 2 March (the AG–PP reform) and 3 March (the prime minister term limit).
Key Governance Reforms on the Parliamentary Agenda
1. Limit on Prime Minister’s Tenure
Under the proposed legislation, the term of office for the Prime Minister will be capped at a maximum of 10 years, equivalent to two full terms, whether those years are consecutive or accumulated over separate tenures. This reflects an effort to prevent excessive power concentration and bolster democratic norms by ensuring periodic leadership renewal.
The limit is designed to promote accountability and align Malaysia with international democratic practices that emphasise checks and balances in executive leadership.
2. Separation of Attorney General and Public Prosecutor Roles
Another core reform Bill will split the offices of the Attorney General (AG) and the Public Prosecutor (PP), roles which in Malaysia have traditionally been held by the same official.
At present, the Attorney General serves both as the principal legal adviser to the government and as the highest ranking public prosecutor†, a dual function some critics argue can blur legal independence.
Under the new proposal:
- The Public Prosecutor will be appointed independently, including criteria such as minimum litigation experience and a fixed seven-year term, subject to formal approval processes.
- The separation aims to strengthen prosecutorial independence from political influence and enhance transparency and accountability in the justice system.
Legislative Timeline and Political Context
Both Bills received Cabinet approval and are part of the government’s broader institutional reform agenda for 2026, a year in which major legal and governance enhancements are expected to be pursued in Parliament.
The prime minister’s tenure limit is seen as a landmark move to reinforce democratic norms in Malaysia’s constitutional system by preventing prolonged executive dominance, while the AG–PP split is widely supported as a step toward depoliticising prosecutorial functions.
Minister Azalina has indicated there is broad support among MPs for these reforms, including from both government and opposition lawmakers, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen checks and balances within Malaysia’s political and legal frameworks.
