Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad emphasized that what truly matters is not the duration of a prime minister’s tenure, but whether they can perform effectively and have the support of the majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
The two-time premier, who served for 22 years, argued that even a 10-year tenure with majority support is insufficient. He explained that during his own time in office, even after more than two decades, there were still numerous plans left unfinished for the country.
Commenting on the recent proposal to impose a 10-year limit on the prime minister’s tenure, Dr. Mahathir, 99, said that such a limit wouldn’t be effective. Instead, it could lead to unresolved issues, as some matters may not be able to be completed within that time frame. He made these remarks after breaking fast with close friends at the Perdana Leadership Foundation on March 20.
“Limiting the tenure won’t solve anything. There will be issues that cannot be addressed in just 10 years,” he said. “What matters is whether the prime minister can perform well, has the people’s support, and has won elections. If not, it’s the MPs’ duty to vote them out before the next general election.”
Dr. Mahathir reflected on his own lengthy tenure as prime minister, noting that despite serving for 22 years, many of his goals remained incomplete. He added that what’s essential is not the prime minister’s length of service but their ability to be removed if they act unlawfully.
“MPs must vote out a leader who is not performing, even if they haven’t completed a single term,” he continued. “Allowing a poor leader to stay in power for 10 years could lead to chaos. But if the prime minister is well-liked and effective, 10 years might not be enough.”
He also shared his personal experience, stating that although he had the support to stay on after five general elections, he chose to step down to make room for younger leadership. “There was no pressure to resign, but I felt it was time for the younger generation to take over,” he said. “If a leader is ruining the country, they should be voted out, even before completing their first term.”
Dr. Mahathir’s comments came after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his support for a proposal to limit a prime minister’s term to 10 years, a suggestion that some believed was aimed at Dr. Mahathir’s own lengthy tenure. Anwar’s statement, made on March 16, has fueled further debate on the issue.
In contrast to his earlier stance, Dr. Mahathir had proposed in 2018 that both Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers should serve no more than two terms. His current opposition to term limits has sparked criticism and mockery on social media, with many pointing out the apparent inconsistency in his views.
The ongoing debate on the subject was reignited after Democratic Action Party (DAP) leader Anthony Loke called for a constitutional amendment to cap the prime minister’s tenure at 10 years. Loke has urged the government to pursue this change before the next general election.
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