PAS backed PM term limit idea in the past, says Nik Nazmi
Published: Mar 19, 2025 3:54 PM
Updated: 7:03 PM
Summary
- PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad reminds PAS that it had previously backed the idea of limiting the PM’s tenure when it was a member of now-defunct Barisan Alternatif.
- He says limiting the PM’s term would prevent the concentration of power on a single individual.
- Nik Nazmi also berates PAS for bringing religion into the argument.
With PAS turning the proposal to limit the prime minister’s term in office into a religious polemic, a PKR leader has reminded the Islamist party that it used to support the idea in the past.
“This is not a new idea. The then-Barisan Alternatif’s manifesto in 1998 also touched on the need to limit the tenure of the premier to two terms.
“It shows that the proposal is not a political move but part of the long-running reformasi struggle to ensure a more transparent and democratic administration.
“So, why is PAS, which was part of Barisan Alternatif, now opposing it?” asked PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad on X today.
On Sunday, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke suggested the government implement several promised reforms, including limiting the prime minister’s term.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed with the proposal.
“This is not a new idea. The then-Barisan Alternatif’s manifesto in 1998 also touched on the need to limit the tenure of the premier to two terms.
“It shows that the proposal is not a political move but part of the long-running reformasi struggle to ensure a more transparent and democratic administration.
“So, why is PAS, which was part of Barisan Alternatif, now opposing it?” asked PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad on X today.
On Sunday, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke suggested the government implement several promised reforms, including limiting the prime minister’s term.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed with the proposal.
PM Anwar Ibrahim with DAP leaders during the party’s congress last Sunday
However, PAS leaders racialised the matter with its Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden saying the suggestion was an attempt by the "minority" to dictate the "majority" by dismantling the Constitution.
Another PAS leader, Bachok MP Syahir Sulaiman, said the topic is open for discussion but with the condition that the prime minister position is made exclusive for Muslims.
Upping the ante, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said the proposal goes against God’s will.
Barisan Alternatif was a loose political pact formed in 1998 following Anwar’s dismissal as deputy prime minister during Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first stint as premier.
Apart from PAS, the pact also had DAP and PKR as partners. The pact collapsed in 2001.
Why bring religion into this?
Taking PAS leaders to task, Nik Nazmi said the proposal was a major reform which would benefit the people and country.
The natural resources and environmental sustainability minister added that a term limit is important to ensure power does not get concentrated on a single individual.
However, PAS leaders racialised the matter with its Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden saying the suggestion was an attempt by the "minority" to dictate the "majority" by dismantling the Constitution.
Another PAS leader, Bachok MP Syahir Sulaiman, said the topic is open for discussion but with the condition that the prime minister position is made exclusive for Muslims.
Upping the ante, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said the proposal goes against God’s will.
Barisan Alternatif was a loose political pact formed in 1998 following Anwar’s dismissal as deputy prime minister during Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first stint as premier.
Apart from PAS, the pact also had DAP and PKR as partners. The pact collapsed in 2001.
Why bring religion into this?
Taking PAS leaders to task, Nik Nazmi said the proposal was a major reform which would benefit the people and country.
The natural resources and environmental sustainability minister added that a term limit is important to ensure power does not get concentrated on a single individual.
Nik Nazmi also berated PAS for bringing religion into the matter, pointing out that Malaysia already has an institution that protects Islam’s position in the country, which is the monarchy.
“Since independence, the prime minister has always been a Malay and this bizarre argument is not relevant to the proposal to limit the prime minister’s tenure,” he added.
The PKR leader accused PAS of being disinterested in embarking on reforms that would benefit the masses.
“They are more interested in creating polemics on every single issue and flare up racially and religiously charged arguments for political gains,” Nik Nazmi added.
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