My comments on proposed limit of tenure of Premier's post

The Sarawak government has yet to decide on whether to limit the tenure of the Premier’s post to two terms or a maximum of five years. I have made my comments to our media friends recently and had mentioned on our state’s stance following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement that the Federal Government would table a Bill this month to set a maximum term for the Prime Minister’s post.

Well, that depends on the Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leadership, but at the moment, it remains status quo,. On a personal level, I have said there are pros and cons to limiting the tenure of the prime minister.

If one is good and able to bring progress, harmony, stability, and still young and healthy to lead the nation, why should we not allow him to continue? It would be such a waste. Why must we limit his tenure to just two term or 10 years? If he or she is not good or incapable, his or her party and the people will find ways bring him down.

I have pointed out that China and Russia — two global superpowers — used to have a two-term limit for their top leaders but have since done away with this. I see this two-term proposal as a political polemic. In PMX’s (Anwar) case, it was in the PH (Pakatan Harapan) manifesto drawn last or 2022 general election, where he has to be seen committed to that pledge, lest it will haunt him.

Personally, I am OK with a prime minister leading the nation beyond the 10 years. A good leader is not easy to find. History has shown that some past nations are great because they have great leaders who led their nation way beyond 10 years.

During a New Year’s special assembly held in Putrajaya, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had mentioned that he is reviving a reform pledge that was among PH’s key electoral promises. The PH chairman said the Bill would likely be tabled at the upcoming Parliament sitting at the end of January, alongside another proposed law to separate the powers of the attorney general and public prosecutor. According to him, every position should have a term limit … this includes the prime minister’s, so (we) will table a Bill to limit the term of a prime minister to 10 years.