The proposed two-term limit for the prime minister, chief minister and menteri besar will be beneficial to the people, state and country, says a political analyst.

Universiti Malaya senior lecturer Associate Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi (above) said with the changes of prime minister, menteri besar and chief minister, people would get new development ideas and strategies.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday proposed that the term of office of the prime minister, menteri besar and chief minister would be limited to two terms only as an immediate measure to reform the political system.

“Indonesia and the United States are countries that applied this two-term policy,” said Awang Azman, adding that in the context of Malaysia, the implementation of the two-term limit would be able to prevent monopoly of power among the leaders.

He added that this monopoly of power would then lead to an autocratic government as they became too powerful and susceptible to use money politics to maintain support and power.

“It will be hard for the leaders to stop it and without sufficient checks and balances in place, this will lead to the practice of cronyism and nepotism. However, by implementing the two-term limit, it will ensure that there will be continuous democratic practices,” he told Bernama.

In the context of Sarawak, Awang Azman said the proposal could be implemented to ensure the sustainability of the old and new generation of politics, adding this would also ensure the governance of political parties especially GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) and the power transition process to take place not only for the chief minister's post but also for the post of deputy chief minister.

Meanwhile, Peter Minos said the two-term limit was good to prevent people from hanging on too long in power but it could also pose a problem for good leaders to plan, implement strategies and ideas and to leave legacies.

Minos, who is Kota Samarahan municipal council chairperson said the first term in office would be spent on planning and making the right decision and moves, in getting things done and seeking cooperation from other parties.

“If the second term is for the serious implementation, then the poor man is already a lame duck. Two terms or a maximum of 10 years may be a bit too short for a leader to leave a mark,” he said.

Hence, Minos said the two-term limit must be studied thoroughly because if implemented, it had big implications.

He also hoped that the top leaders in Kuala Lumpur would not rush into making a decision on this issue.

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said even if the proposal were to be tabled and passed in Parliament, it would not be applicable to Sarawak, pointing out that the state has autonomy over the appointment and terms of its ministers.

“Sarawak and Sabah are autonomous states. We have to amend our state constitution first for the proposal to be implemented in Sarawak,” he told reporters in Kuching.

- Bernama