PUTRAJAYA has withdrawn a bill to limit the prime minister’s time in office to two terms.

Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan announced the Perikatan Nasional government’s decision to retract the bill, which was first tabled by the Pakatan Harapan administration last year.

The bill proposed that Clause 2(a) of Article 43 of the federal constitution be amended to limit the prime minister’s time in office to two parliamentary terms.

The move was among the promises made in PH’s 2018 election manifesto.

The pact had also proposed limiting menteris besar and chief ministers’ terms to just two.

Takiyuddin told the Dewan Rakyat that Putrajaya is also withdrawing the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill.

This was already made known in March, with PN saying police are fiercely opposed to the bill.

Immediately after the law minister withdrew it, Deputy Home Minister Ismail Mohamed Said announced and tabled the Independent Police Conduct Commission Bill 2020, also aimed at stamping out indiscipline in the force.

He said the bill will be debated on and passed in the current parliamentary session.

The IPCMC Bill was tabled in July last year, following 24 amendments. It was to have been debated last October, but owing to continued opposition, it was referred to the Special Select Committee for further changes.

Despite more tweaks made, resistance to the bill continued, leading to its replacement today.

The new bill allows investigations into police misconduct, but any disciplinary action will be taken by the force itself. – August 26, 2020.