Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who recently underwent surgery, has accused the opposition of neglecting Tabung Haji depositors by refusing to participate in a special Dewan Rakyat debate on the royal commission of inquiry report into the pilgrimage fund.
He questioned why Perikatan Nasional chose to stay out of the debate despite frequently positioning itself as a defender of Malay and Muslim interests.
“Do you want to debate about me, or do you want to debate about Tabung Haji? Do you want to know about me, or do you want to know about the betrayal of Tabung Haji?” he asked in a post on X.
Earlier, the opposition asked Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul to defer the debate to a later date so Anwar, who is on medical leave, could be present to table the report and allow for a proper debate on the matter.
However, Anwar accused PN of turning the special sitting into a political spectacle, questioning the coalition’s sincerity.
“Malay Muslims have been betrayed, yet there are still those who want to engage in political theatrics? What more when it comes from those who constantly champion Malay and Muslim causes.
“Does PN, which is anchored by PAS, not care about the interests of ordinary people - fisherfolk, farmers, teachers, police officers, soldiers, and retirees - who worked hard to save their money in Tabung Haji so they could fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam?” he asked.
15 MPs withdraw
Anwar’s remarks came after PN chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan announced that opposition MPs would not participate in the debate.
“We are not participating in this debate on the opposition’s side,” Takiyuddin said as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan stood to begin his briefing on the RCI report.
Johari then told opposition MPs that those who did not wish to remain could leave the chamber.
“If anyone wants to leave, then leave. Those who want to stay, please stay, because the people are watching you,” said the speaker before allowing the proceedings to continue.
He later confirmed that 15 PN MPs have withdrawn from the debate. Initially, 51 MPs from across the divide were listed as participants in today's debate.
Johari also granted the remaining opposition MPs 10 minutes each to debate, up from eight minutes, following a request from Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Anwar was absent from the special sitting as he continues to undergo physiotherapy under the supervision of a team of medical specialists.
His senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said the prime minister’s health was improving and that Anwar would closely follow the debate to ensure the trust placed in Tabung Haji as an institution serving the Muslim community continued to be safeguarded. - Mkini
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