Since a speech by DAP secretary general Anthony Loke to his party’s congress that touched on a proposal to limit the tenure of the prime minister to two terms, there has been uneasiness among Pas leaders.
There was a rant by Pas youth wing chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden claiming that the party’s push for a prime ministerial term limit was an attempt by the “minority” to dictate to the “majority” by dismantling the Federal Constitution.
Pas assistant secretary general and Bachok MP Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman shared his belief that the Federal Constitution should be amended so that the tenure of the prime minister includes a condition that the Malaysian prime minister should always be someone of the Islamic faith.
It is a pity that an objective view of limiting the prime minister’s term in office has turned into an ethno-religious sentiment – which is uncalled for.
Limiting the tenure of prime minister benefits all including Pas, as there will always be refreshed visions of leadership as the country progresses.
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Looking from a historical perspective and at the realities of Malaysia’s communal fabric, non-Muslim political leaders have never demanded that the prime minister’s position should be open to non-Muslims.
For example, the DAP has always supported Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister and has gone as far as not demanding more cabinet positions after the 2022 general election – even though it won more seats than other Pakatan Harapan parties and Umno.
This was to ensure that certain ethno-religious politicians who represent the majority Malay-Muslim community did not manipulate a fragile situation that could disrupt the stability of the nation.
It is obvious that Pas is bent on turning the substantive proposal of the prime minister’s tenure into an ethno-religious sentiment. One wonders whether they are intellectually and morally capable of governing the nation.
Proposals like the term limit for the prime minister are critical, as we have a history where power has been concentrated in the hands of the prime minister. This has resulted in self-seeking decisions that have been detrimental to the common good of the country.
Shades of authoritarian rule and crony capitalism in the 1980s and 90s and the 1MDB scandal are examples where the power of the prime minister has been left unchecked through blind loyalty – apart from the price to be paid for disloyalty.
Limiting the terms of the prime minister would certainly not solve all problems related to feudal politics in Malaysia. But it would help ensure policies in the long term are not hijacked by a prime minister bent on staying on.
Therefore, the Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue urges the Pas leadership to look into the proposal of limiting the tenure of the prime minister to two terms rationally and humanely, if intends to govern the country someday.
Constantly manipulating issues for ethno-religious gain will distance the party from rational-minded Muslims and non-Muslims. – Focus Malaysia
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
