KUCHING: The proposed two-term limit on a prime minister’s tenure signals a move towards institutional democracy by reshaping the balance of power between the state, political elites and the people.
In stating this, political analyst Professor Dr Novel Lyndon said the move reflects a broader effort to strengthen democratic institutions and prevent the excessive concentration of political authority in the hands of any single leader.
“This announcement by the prime minister is an effort to reshape the power relationship between the state, political elites and the people. In other words, it represents institutional democracy,” he said.
Novel said prolonged concentration of power often leads to political oligarchy, even within an electoral system, and term limits for the prime minister serve as an important safeguard.
He explained that such limits help prevent the rise of personality-centric politics, reduce over-dependence of parties and the bureaucracy on one individual, and encourage healthy leadership transition and regeneration of political elites.
“In a plural society, these limits are also crucial in preserving the moral legitimacy of the executive institution and preventing the normalisation of power abuse,” he added.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would table a Bill to limit the tenure of an individual holding the office of prime minister to 10 years or two full terms during this year’s Dewan Rakyat sitting.
Commenting on the proposal to separate legislative and prosecutorial powers which was also announced by Anwar, Novel said that from the perspective of the sociology of law, combining both powers in a single individual creates a serious role conflict and has the potential to normalise the abuse of power.
“This reform is important as it strengthens the independence of the judiciary from executive pressure, reduces perceptions of selective justice, and enhances public confidence in the legal system,” he said.
He added that in the context of post-colonial societies, justice is often perceived as an instrument of power; therefore, such separation helps reshape the law as a neutral institution rather than a political tool.
