KUCHING: The authorities should seriously explore the introduction of term limit for political office bearers and elected representatives.
Political observer Datuk Peter Minos said such move would prevent elected representatives from holding office for too long and also avoid corrupt practices.
He pointed out that term limit for political office was not something new as countries like the United States of America (USA) was practising a two-term limit for their elected officials.
Minos concurred with former chief justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum who espoused the idea during a recent webinar stating that it should be among the reforms in the electoral system to uphold democracy.
“I agree with the suggestion as being too long in top position can lead to many things including complacency and even possibility of being mired in temptations. This is why the US president has a maximum of two consecutive terms of four years each while Indonesia and the Philippines practise two terms of six years each.
“Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin has previously suggested that the prime minister should be for two terms only, but the idea was rejected by the opposition. Hopefully the new prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob can follow up on this,” Minos said when contacted on Sunday (August 22).
He said that elected representatives would be forced to think, plan and work well in the two terms.
“Those who are serious and good will be able to do a lot for the constituency and its people within the two terms.
“The nation needs young and fresh ideas and actions from the younger generation to keep up with times as well as modernisation. Those who are below 50 years old often have bold ideas and strategies, which is the reality of life.
“On the other hand, it is also another reality of life whereby those who are above 60 years old tend to value status quo and they are less keen on what is new or of changes. Nonetheless, I think a mixture of old and young leaders is good for any nation so our prime minister can think about this,” he said.
At the same time, he noted that good ideas and planning might need more than two terms to execute and complete.
“Some elected representatives may only peak up after the first term, so they do need a longer time. However, I have always believed that an elected representative must be a very serious and dedicated person from day one,” he added.
