Opposition Leader: Barring PM from Finance Ministry Crucial

KUALA LUMPUR: Barring a prime minister from holding the finance ministry portfolio should be prioritised over imposing a two-term limit, says Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. The Opposition leader said there must be a "separation of powers" between the two portfolios. "It's fine for a prime minister to helm other ministries but not finance as this holds a lot of power," he said, adding that this is crucial to prevent corruption. "Perikatan Nasional, however, will not oppose the proposed two-term limit for the prime minister post, albeit with several criteria," he said when debating the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Jan 20). On Jan 5, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a Bill to limit the Prime Minister's term to no more than 10 years or two full terms had been drafted and would be tabled in Parliament in 2026.