Muda-Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman today criticised Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs for walking out of the special Dewan Rakyat sitting on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Tabung Haji.
Syed Saddiq said the proceedings should not be postponed simply because Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was unwell, stressing that other MPs still had a responsibility to carry out their duties.
“I agree that the prime minister must answer when he recovers. I also agree that there are many legitimate criticisms concerning the way the government manages the country and the Tabung Haji recovery plan,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
“But Parliament is not a one-man show. Just because the prime minister is ill does not mean we should stop working. We are paid tens of thousands of ringgit in salaries, our pensions are guaranteed, and we receive all kinds of allowances to serve as checks and balances.”
“But we fail to perform that role,” he said after PN MPs walked out of the chamber in protest against the decision to continue the proceedings despite Anwar’s absence.
RCI report concerns millions of depositors
The former Muda president said the RCI report was not directly about Anwar or any political party, but concerned the interests of millions of Tabung Haji depositors.
“The reality is that more than 10 million Muslim depositors expect us, as MPs, to play our role and find comprehensive solutions so that their interests and dignity are protected,” he said.
“If you have facts, debate them. If there is wrongdoing, expose it.”
PAS led PN MPs in the walkout, while Bersatu MPs aligned with former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin remained in the chamber.
RCI report highlights serious weaknesses
The RCI report was declassified and released to the public on July 29, about four years after the commission completed its inquiry in July 2022.
It identified serious weaknesses in Tabung Haji’s governance, investment and financial management, and recommended a major overhaul of the organisation.
