Malaysia’s position on the China-Taiwan issue has remained consistent and unchanged since the administration of former prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.
He was responding to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan’s claim that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks in a recent international media interview had put Malaysia in a difficult diplomatic position and narrowed its diplomatic space.
Fahmi said Anwar’s remarks were consistent with Malaysia’s longstanding foreign policy position maintained by Wisma Putra.
‘(Takiyuddin’s allegation is) not true. I see two things… first, Malaysia’s position on the issue dates back to the time of the late Abdul Razak and our position has never changed,’ he told reporters at the Kenduri Rakyat Madani programme here on Saturday (Aug 22).
‘The prime minister merely stated what is consistent with Wisma Putra’s position. So, there has been no change or difference on this matter.’
Fahmi questions PAS’ foreign policy focus
Fahmi also expressed disappointment with the opposition party’s stance, questioning why PAS had been vocal on foreign policy matters while remaining silent on domestic issues involving Muslim interests.
He cited the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on Tabung Haji as an example.
Fahmi said the report had highlighted shortcomings and inefficiencies in the management of Tabung Haji’s accounts and investments between 2014 and 2017, including losses amounting to millions of ringgit.
‘What I regret is… why do certain parties, including our friends from PAS, make so many comments on matters that are far removed from us, but when it comes to matters that are very close to us, including Tabung Haji, we have not heard a word about their position on the damage that occurred, as contained in the Tabung Haji RCI report?’ he said.
Government working to restore Tabung Haji
Fahmi urged PAS to spend more time studying and debating the Tabung Haji RCI report, saying opposition lawmakers had walked out of the Dewan Rakyat when the public expected them to debate the matter.
‘I hope they can spend more time studying and debating the matter because they walked out of the Dewan Rakyat when the people expected the opposition to debate it,’ he said.
According to Fahmi, the government’s current efforts are aimed at restoring Tabung Haji, an important Muslim institution, to its proper standing.
