PUTRAJAYA, Jan 5 — The federal government is preparing to initiate constitutional amendments linked to long-term institutional reforms as early as February, following the conclusion of parliamentary debates on the royal address delivered by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Azalina Othman Said, said the upcoming parliamentary sitting would focus on four major reform pillars that are expected to shape Malaysia’s governance framework in the years ahead.
Speaking during her New Year 2026 address and later at a press conference today, Azalina explained that the proposed reforms include separating the roles of the attorney general and public prosecutor, imposing term limits on the prime minister to either two terms or a maximum of 10 years, introducing a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, and establishing an Ombudsman Act.
“Based on my assessment of these four core reform areas, constitutional amendments are likely to begin in February, subject to the completion of parliamentary proceedings on the royal address,” she said. “Once that debate concludes, the groundwork for amendments can move forward.”
Azalina stressed that the reform agenda would not be developed in isolation, noting that her ministry remains open to input from all stakeholders, including members of the public, non-governmental organisations and civil society groups.
Responding to criticism that some of the reforms do not directly address everyday economic concerns, Azalina defended the initiatives as essential safeguards for democratic governance and the rule of law.
She said that transparency and institutional integrity are increasingly important in a digital era where information — both accurate and misleading — spreads rapidly across online platforms.
“In any nation, the Constitution and the rule of law are foundational values,” she said. “When governments are perceived as lacking transparency, it can fuel suspicion and mistrust, particularly when citizens are exposed to large volumes of unverified information.”
Addressing legal challenges arising from new technologies, Azalina confirmed that the Criminal Law Reform Committee (CLRC) is currently reviewing several statutes, including the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act, to ensure existing laws remain effective in dealing with issues such as artificial intelligence and deepfake content.
She added that consultations have already taken place with senior judicial figures, the Ministry of Communications and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to ensure alignment across institutions.
According to Azalina, the government intends to prioritise targeted amendments where possible, allowing authorities to respond swiftly to emerging offences without waiting for sweeping legislative overhauls.
“For now, when cases reach the courts, enforcement agencies will continue to rely on existing legal provisions to prosecute offences or obtain court orders,” she said.