KUALA LUMPUR (March 3): Malaysian lawmakers’ failure to amend the Federal Constitution to cap the prime minister’s tenure at a maximum of 10 years has sent shockwaves through the political landscape and may signal underlying tensions within the multi-party unity government.

The bill, which was put to a vote on Monday (March 2) after more than five hours of debate, garnered only 146 votes in favour — two short of the required two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat to amend the Constitution.

A total of 44 MPs abstained, while 32 were absent.

Prior to the vote, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was widely believed to command the support of 154 MPs — above the two-thirds threshold in the House — although this had never been formally tested.

The unity government led by Anwar comprises four major coalitions — Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) — alongside several other parties including Warisan, Upko Sabah, Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM).

Muda’s sole MP and eight independent MPs — including six former Bersatu members said to be aligned with the ruling coalition — were also considered part of the broader support base.

According to the Parliament Hansard released on Tuesday, six government bloc MPs were among the 32 absentees.

They included three from BN — Umno’s Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir and MIC’s Tapah MP Datuk M Saravanan.

The others were GPS’ Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, GRS’ Keningau MP Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, and PBM’s Julau MP Larry Sng.

Two independents — Tenom MP Datuk Riduan Rubin and Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz — were also absent.

Those who voted in favour comprised 79 lawmakers from PH, 27 from BN, 22 from GPS, five from GRS, three from Warisan, two from Upko, one from KDM, one from Muda and six independents.

So far, only four MPs have publicly explained their absence. Larry Sng reportedly said he was “stuck in traffic” on his way back to Parliament, while Syed Abu Hussin said he skipped the vote as he disagreed with the proposed law. Suhaimi was said to be hospitalised, while Saravanan was reportedly attending prayers.

On the opposition bench, 44 MPs were present but chose to abstain. However, several key leaders were absent, including Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.

The proposed amendment was part of the institutional reform agenda pledged by PH in its manifesto for the 2022 general election. DAP, the largest component party in PH, has been particularly vocal in pushing for the reform.

Notably, DAP had also pledged to accelerate reforms within six months after suffering a heavy defeat in the Sabah state election last year. The party is scheduled to hold its national congress on July 12, during which delegates will decide whether its officeholders should relinquish their government positions.

Following the bill’s defeat, DAP secretary general Anthony Loke expressed deep disappointment over the outcome, urging civil society and voters to hold accountable MPs who were absent or did not support the amendment, including those from the opposition bloc.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, meanwhile, said the bill could be retabled, adding that its failure to pass had no “implication whatsoever on the government or the administration”.

The next Parliament sitting is scheduled to be held from June 22 to July 16, although the government’s immediate plan on whether to retable the bill remains unclear.

Nevertheless, the outcome raises doubts over the government’s ability to secure full support for key constitutional reforms, with another high-stakes bill — requiring a two-thirds majority in the House to separate the dual roles of the attorney general and establish a distinct public prosecutor — likely to be voted on in June.

The result may also stoke further speculation about political stability, including talk of a possible snap general election this year.

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