Malaysia’s Failed Vote to Limit Prime Minister’s Tenure Sparks Criticism
On March 2, 2026, the Malaysian House of Representatives failed to pass the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2026, which aimed to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years. The bill’s defeat, by just two votes short of the required two-thirds majority, has drawn strong criticism from electoral reform groups like Persatuan Bertindak Pilihan Raya Bebas dan Saksama (Tindak).
Amendment Falls Short Despite Government Majority
The vote tally revealed 146 MPs in favor, 44 abstentions, and 32 absences. Despite the current government bloc holding at least 153 seats – five more than the 148 needed for passage – the amendment failed. Tindak attributes this outcome to the “negligence of irresponsible MPs who failed to carry out their duties as lawmakers.” Specifically, eight of the 32 absent MPs were from the government bloc.
MPs Absent from Crucial Vote
The following MPs were absent during the vote:
- Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang)
- Larry Sng (Julau)
- Hishammuddin Hussein (Sembrong)
- M Saravanan (Tapah)
- Suhaimi Nasir (Libaran)
- Henry Sum Agong (Lawas)
- Riduan Rubin (Tenom)
- Jeffrey Kitingan (Keningau)
Several of these MPs have a history of low parliamentary attendance. Parliament’s dashboard indicates Hishammuddin has attended only 91 out of 246 sessions, while Kitingan and Saravanan have attended 139 and 140 sessions respectively.
Justifications Questioned
Initial explanations for the absences have been met with public skepticism. Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz admitted intentionally skipping the vote to prolong the prime minister’s term, while Larry Sng cited traffic and M Saravanan invoked personal prayers. Tindak views these justifications as “an insult to the public,” particularly considering MPs receive a daily meeting allowance of RM400 and monthly remuneration potentially reaching RM40,000.
Blame Game Rejected
Tindak dismisses attempts to blame the opposition for the bill’s failure, arguing the government had sufficient numbers to pass the amendment without external support. The group emphasizes that the defeat stems from lawmakers prioritizing personal agendas over their constitutional responsibilities.
Call for Accountability
Tindak expressed its disappointment over the missed opportunity for institutional reform and urged all MPs to prioritize their legislative duties. The organization called for lawmakers to “show up to work, especially when the future of the country is at stake.”