A FIXED-term parliament act was not a priority for the unity government, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

“We (unity government leaders) have not discussed it yet. It would be a bit premature (to comment).

“There has been a suggestion, but to me, it is not a priority,” he reportedly told the media at an event this morning.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had earlier suggested a fixed-term parliament bill to ensure a government is maintained until the end of its term.

He said this would prevent incidents such as the prime minister being changed three times during the 14th parliament term.

Law and Institutional Reform Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said said the proposal to enact a law for a fixed parliamentary term was not a desperate move.

She said it instead showed the commitment by the unity government to respect the electoral mandate and democratic processes and ensure political stability amid uncertain geopolitical situations.

“There are many countries that practise fixed parliamentary terms with a timeline agreed upon for elections to ensure political and economic stability and to prevent power grabs that could harm their parliamentary democracy systems.

“Fixed parliamentary terms will also ensure all reform agendas and policies can be implemented continuously without disruption,” she said in a statement on Sunday. – January 16, 2024.