06/01/2026

TUESDAY | JAN 6, 2026

3 ‘Premiership cap step forward but deeper reforms needed’

Ombudsman crucial for freedom of information law Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) has welcomed the government’s plan to introduce a Freedom of Information (FOI) law but warned it will only be effective if paired with an independent ombudsman empowered to enforce disclosure and investigate maladministration. TI-M president Raymon Ram said independent oversight is crucial to prevent public access to information from being left to the discretion of the very agencies expected to release it. “An independent ombudsman is essential to the success and credibility of the FOI law. “TI-M has consistently called for an autonomous federal ombudsman with real investigative authority to address maladministration and uphold the right to information. “This body must be a strong and impartial watchdog, capable of receiving complaints, reviewing agency decisions and compelling disclosure when information is unjustifiably withheld. “Without such oversight, the government risks being both gatekeeper and judge of its own transparency – a fundamental conflict of interest,” Raymon told theSun yesterday. His remarks followed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement during his New Year address at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly yesterday. Anwar had said the government planned to table both an Ombudsman Bill and an FOI law later this year. The former would enable the setting up of an independent watchdog to investigate complaints against agencies and officials, while the latter would allow the public to request government documents such as tenders, contracts and public projects to prevent abuse of power, while safeguarding matters related to national security and intelligence. Raymon said TI-M strongly supports both an independent information commission to oversee the FOI regime and a separate federal ombudsman to investigate maladministration, including cases where information is withheld. “At minimum, if a public agency refuses requested information, citizens should have a clear right to report it to the ombudsman for investigation and redress. “Both oversight bodies must be independent, report directly to Parliament, and be shielded from political interference. “Without enforceable powers, the FOI law risks being hollow and ineffective.” Raymon, however, cautioned that limiting the FOI law to tenders, contracts and public projects would leave transparency gaps. “A robust FOI Act must guarantee the rakyat ’s right to know across all areas of public governance to prevent corruption and ensure meaningful accountability. “If the law applies only to selected sectors, significant abuses may remain hidden elsewhere. Exemptions for national security or official secrecy must be tightly defined, not blanket exclusions,” he said, citing TI-M’s endorsement of Article 19, the Principles on Freedom of Information Legislation. Raymon also urged Parliament to examine how the FOI law would interact with existing secrecy provisions, particularly the Official Secrets Act. Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com PETALING JAYA:

o Move could curb power concentration, encourage leadership renewal; constitutional and institutional reforms must follow, say analysts

term limits is unlikely to resonate strongly with the wider public, despite enthusiasm among political commentators, adding that public attention remains firmly focused on stagnant wages and the rising cost of living. He also argued that reform efforts should prioritise stronger oversight and accountability in areas of government where power is exercised with less scrutiny. “It is more important to have stronger oversight on the civil service and those running government agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked companies. These are unelected people who wield greater power than the politicians.” temporary relief rather than a cure. “It is not a panacea, but it can at least act as a painkiller, making abuses and corruption appear less unbearable.” Oh observed that the Bill could become symbolic if other executive powers – such as control over appointments and party machinery – remain unchanged. “Better than nothing, as other reforms look set to be casually thrown to the roadside or longkang .” Drawing a cautionary parallel, he added, “Venezuela was once a prosperous country too. Power abuses and corruption made it what it is today.” Legal expert Srimurugan Alagan highlighted the constitutional implications of the proposal. “Currently, the Malaysian Constitution contains no provision limiting the prime minister’s tenure. “Introducing such a clause would require a constitutional amendment with a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The Article should clearly state that a person can serve only two terms, regardless of whether they are reelected or contesting under a different party. The proposed amendment is positive, as it prevents abuse of power and allows other elected leaders the opportunity to serve as prime minister.” Anwar announced the proposed reform during his 2026 New Year Address at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly. He said the legislation is part of the government’s effort to strengthen democratic governance and prevent the over-concentration of power in a single leader. “When a term is given, one can carry out their responsibilities within that period. After that, it is better for us to hand over leadership to the next generation,” he said. Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said clarified that the proposed Bill will only apply to prime ministers. “Menteris besar and chief ministers will not be affected, meaning the legislation caps the premiership at a maximum of 10 years in office,“ she explained.

minister himself.” He also pointed out that two-term limits are common in many democratic countries to prevent stagnation and potential abuse of power. “A chance must be given to new leadership. Even in Malaysia, 10 years is already very, very long for a prime minister,” he added. Pacific Research Center principal adviser Dr Oh Ei Sun offered a more guarded perspective, warning that term limits alone cannot fully address Malaysia’s institutional weaknesses. Only two prime ministers in the country’s history have served more than 10 years and Oh said these long tenures illustrate how power tends to accumulate and over time can lead to corruption and abuse. “It is bad enough that powers concentrate around a prime minister in this country. Over a long period, such powers tend to corrupt, often absolutely.” He described the reform as a

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

nation. When someone remains in power for an extended period – especially over two decades – power inevitably becomes concentrated in that individual.” Azmi added that the limit would encourage leadership renewal and the infusion of fresh ideas. “Innovation often comes from new leadership. When a leader has been in office for 10 or 15 years, ministers may hesitate to propose ideas that conflict with the prime minister’s views. “Limiting the term helps prevent excessive concentration of power and ensures fresh perspectives can emerge – from ministers and from the prime

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced a 10-year limit for the premiership, a move analysts say could curb the over-concentration of power, but stress that deeper institutional reforms are needed to prevent corruption and stagnation. Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said the proposal was promised by Anwar when he took office three years ago. “Ten years is a long time to lead a

Azalina said the legislation limiting the premiership to a maximum of 10 years in office will not affect menteris besar and chief ministers. – ADIB RAWI YAYHYA/THESUN

Economist urges focus on bread-and-butter issues

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

stages of a prime minister’s term. Williams also pointed to Malaysia’s recent political history, noting that leadership turnover has occurred frequently even in the absence of formal term limits. “We can see that prime ministers come and go frequently through democratic means and political manoeuvres.” He added that a statutory cap would do little to prevent political instability unless it restricted the removal of a sitting prime minister during a fixed term. “A term limit would not end that unless the removal of the prime minister was prohibited during their fixed term. That would be undemocratic.” Williams said the debate over

members as a matter of political courtesy, such consultation is not a legal requirement. Williams added that any attempt to impose term limits on the prime minister would require strong parliamentary backing as it involves constitutional amendments and the need for a two-thirds majority in Parliament. “On one hand, they can prevent incumbents from holding on too long, but on the other they can cause speculation and jockeying for positions as the term nears an end.” He said such dynamics could undermine governance by shifting attention away from policy execution towards succession politics, particularly in the later

PETALING JAYA: An economist said the move to cap the prime minister’s tenure at two terms is largely institutional in nature and should be pursued without losing sight of more immediate bread and-butter economic concerns. Dr Geoffrey Williams said while the proposal is framed as part of broader institutional reforms, it is not without consequences and could distort political behaviour and encourage political manoeuvring well before a leader’s term ends. He said although the government is expected to consult coalition partners and Cabinet