Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said his administration would seek to amend the Federal Constitution to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years.
“The opposition will also be roped into the National Recovery Council so (that) they can present their views and propose improvements,” he said in a statement.
“These offers are also aimed at creating a new political landscape by reforming the government administration and strengthening the role of parliamentary institutions.”
Other proposals outlined by Ismail include one for the opposition leader to be provided remuneration and facilities equal to that of a minister.
Ismail also proposed balancing the membership of parliamentary select committees between government and opposition MPs and ensuring that every bill tabled in Parliament – including the Supply Bill – would be discussed and agreed upon together.
His proposals are similar to those pitched by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin to woo opposition MPs to support his government on Aug 13 before it collapsed. Muhyiddin said the proposals would be critical in achieving the political stability needed to navigate the pandemic and ameliorate its effects.
However, Muhyiddin’s proposals were rejected by the opposition, and he resigned three days later, leading to Ismail being appointed prime minister.
Ismail said the Cabinet today agreed to the seven proposals he had put forward for discussion.
He added that the proposals were in line with the advice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers, who had called for a stable and functioning administration to better handle the country’s health and economic crises.
Ismail said the government wanted all parties to focus on political and administrative stability so as to effectively battle the Covid-19 pandemic and bring about economic recovery.
“This government transformation embodies noble values and consensus across various religious, racial, and cultural backgrounds in the context of a Malaysian Family,” Ismail said.
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