KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has hit back at Perikatan Nasional, questioning the opposition coalition’s sincerity in championing Malay and Islamic interests following their walkout from a special Dewan Rakyat sitting on Tuesday (Aug 11).
The opposition staged a walkout after Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul rejected PN chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan’s request to postpone the sitting on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).
Takiyuddin argued that Standing Order 11(3) necessitated the Prime Minister’s presence for a matter of such public interest.
However, Johari ruled that proceedings could continue under Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Cabinet members, as Anwar remains under medical supervision recovering from an illness.
Addressing the boycott in a social media post, Anwar accused Perikatan of prioritising political theatrics over the interests of hard-working Malaysians who rely on TH to fulfil their pilgrimage aspirations.
“Do you want to debate about me, or do you want to debate about Tabung Haji? Do you want to take an interest in me, or do you want to take an interest in the alleged betrayal of Tabung Haji?” Anwar wrote.
He slammed those who loudly proclaim themselves champions of Islam yet bypass crucial discussions on the pilgrims' fund, urging the opposition to stop playing political games.
“Malays and Muslims have been betrayed, yet there are still those who want to play political drama," he said. "Do they not care about the interests of the poor, fishermen, farmers, teachers, policemen, soldiers, and retirees who work hard and save their money in Tabung Haji to perform the Hajj?”
