KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s stance on the China-Taiwan issue has remained consistent since the administration of former prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, says Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent remarks on the issue were in line with the country’s longstanding foreign policy maintained by Wisma Putra.
Fahmi was responding to PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, who claimed Anwar’s remarks in a recent international media interview had restricted Malaysia’s diplomatic space.
“(Takiyuddin’s allegation is) not true. I see two things: Malaysia’s position on the issue dates back to the time of Tun Abdul Razak and our position has never changed.
“The Prime Minister merely stated what is consistent with Wisma Putra’s position.
“So, there has been no change or difference on this matter,” he said at the Kenduri Rakyat Madani programme here yesterday.
Fahmi also questioned PAS for focusing on foreign affairs while remaining silent on domestic issues affecting Muslims, such as the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Tabung Haji.
He said the RCI report had highlighted shortcomings and inefficiencies in the management of the institution’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 RCI report?
“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 added.
Fahmi said the government’s efforts were aimed at restoring the important Muslim institution to its proper standing.
