Most opposition MPs walked out of the Dewan Rakyat today after their request to postpone a special sitting on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Tabung Haji was rejected.
Opposition chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan, the PN-Kota Bharu MP, called for the sitting to be postponed as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was unable to attend while recovering from surgery.
“If he’s here, we can debate. But if he’s not here, we might as well just hold a press conference,” he said, stressing that Anwar’s presence was important as the prime minister had requested the special sitting.
Takiyuddin also pointed out that no vote on the RCI report was scheduled today and that MPs had only received copies of the report this morning.
Speaker orders proceedings to continue
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul ruled that the proceedings should continue, noting that Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other ministers were present to represent the Cabinet.
“I have made my decision. Please proceed,” he said as Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs began walking out of the chamber.
However, Bersatu MPs aligned with former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, including PN-Pagoh, did not join the walkout.
Radzi rejects ‘political drama’
Radzi Jidin, the PN-Putrajaya MP, said the group would remain in the chamber because the issue was important to the public.
“We will not walk out. This is an important issue for the people and there is no need for such political drama. In fact, we are now asking for our MPs to be given more time to debate,” he said in a Facebook post.
Anwar underwent elective laparoscopic surgery yesterday to treat an abdominal hernia, prompting PN to call for the special sitting to be reconvened at a later date.
Religious affairs minister Zulkifli Hasan tabled the RCI report today, while finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan is expected to wind up the debate.
RCI report highlights Tabung Haji weaknesses
The RCI report on the pilgrims’ fund was declassified and released to the public on July 29, about four years after the commission completed it in July 2022.
The report found serious weaknesses in Tabung Haji’s governance, investment and financial management between 2014 and 2020.
It recommended a major overhaul of the institution, including tighter oversight, forensic audits of selected investments and limits on political involvement in Tabung Haji.
