In a closely-fought decision, Malaysia's lower house of parliament on Monday (March 2) narrowly turned down a constitutional amendment that would have restricted the premiership to two terms, with a significant number of abstentions and no explicit 'nays'.

The proposed amendment, which aimed to cap any individual's tenure as prime minister at 10 years, was a key part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's ruling coalition's reform agenda.

Anwar, who assumed office in 2022, has been under mounting pressure to fulfill his campaign pledges, as critics have accused him of stalling on implementing reforms.

The bill was defeated as 146 lawmakers voting in favor fell just two votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the amendment.

Forty-four MPs chose to abstain from voting while 32 were absent.

Prior to the vote, Law Minister Azalina Othman Said refuted opposition arguments that the amendment could weaken the king's authority, who holds the constitutional power to appoint a prime minister.

She contended that the term limit would actually strengthen institutional integrity by preventing an unchecked accumulation of power within the executive branch.

The failure to enact the bill comes at a time of rising dissatisfaction, even within the ruling coalition, over the progress of Anwar's reform initiatives. Anwar stated in January that his government would move forward with additional reforms this year, which includes the introduction of an ombudsman law.

This week, parliament is set to discuss another bill designed to separate the attorney general's dual role as both the government's chief legal adviser and public prosecutor.

The current setup has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as attorneys-general are appointed by the prime minister.

Last month, ten lawmakers from Anwar's party threatened to withdraw support for that bill, expressing fears that it might establish a new office with concentrated powers held by a select few.