NewzPrime Minister Anwar Ibrahim could not attend today's special Dewan Rakyat sitting on the Tabung Haji report as he is recovering from surgery. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hit back at Perikatan Nasional (PN) after its MPs walked out of the Dewan Rakyat today during a special sitting to debate the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) report on Tabung Haji (TH).In a Facebook post, Anwar asked whether the opposition wanted to spar with him in the Dewan Rakyat or debate the TH report, which uncovered serious weaknesses in the pilgrims' fund's governance, investment and financial management."Are you more interested in me or in the betrayal of Tabung Haji?"Malay-Muslims have been betrayed, but there are still those who want to engage in political theatrics. And they are the ones who loudly claim to champion Malay-Muslim interests."Does the PAS-led PN not care about the interests of the poor, fishermen, farmers, teachers, police, soldiers and retirees who toil to save their money in TH to perform the haj?" he said.Most PN MPs walked out of the Dewan Rakyat during the special sitting earlier today after Speaker Johari Abdul rejected their request to postpone proceedings.Takiyuddin Hassan, the opposition chief whip and PN secretary-general, argued that Anwar’s presence was necessary as the prime minister had requested the special sitting.However, Johari said proceedings would continue as deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other ministers were present to represent the Cabinet.Bersatu MPs aligned with former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin refused to join the walkout.Anwar underwent elective laparoscopic surgery yesterday to treat an abdominal hernia, prompting PN to call for the special sitting to be postponed.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 recommended a major overhaul in TH, including tighter oversight, forensic audits of selected investments and limits on political involvement in the institution.Its findings also led to investigations by the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, as well as several high-profile arrests.
Opposition chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan had asked for the sitting to be postponed since Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is recovering from surgery, could not attend.KUALA LUMPUR: Most opposition MPs walked out of the Dewan Rakyat during the special sitting to debate the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) report on Tabung Haji (TH) today after their request for proceedings to be postponed was rejected.Opposition chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) asked for the sitting to be postponed since Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is recovering from surgery, could not attend."If he’s here, we can debate. But if he’s not here, we might as well just hold a press conference," he said, arguing that Anwar’s presence was important as the prime minister had requested the special sitting.Takiyuddin also said that there would be no vote on the RCI report today, according to the agenda, while MPs only received copies of the report this morning.Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul had decided that the proceedings should continue as 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 walked out of the Dewan Rakyat.However, Bersatu MPs aligned with former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) refused to join the walkout."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," Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) 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 convened at a later date.Religious affairs minister Zulkifli Hasan tabled the report today while finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan is expected to wind up the debate.The RCI report on the pilgrims’ fund was declassified and released to the public on July 29, some four years after the commission completed it in July 2022.It found serious weaknesses in TH’s governance, investment and financial management between 2014 and 2020, and recommended a major overhaul, including tighter oversight, forensic audits of selected investments and limits on political involvement in the institution. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim underwent elective laparoscopic surgery yesterday to treat an abdominal hernia.
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today apologised for being unable to attend the special Dewan Rakyat sitting for the tabling of the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) report on Tabung Haji (TH), having undergone elective surgery yesterday.In a statement, Anwar's senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah said the prime minister’s health was improving and that he would continue undergoing physiotherapy."At the same time, the prime minister apologises for being unable to attend the special sitting to debate the RCI report on TH, and hopes that the proceedings will run smoothly."He will closely follow the debate to ensure that the trust and responsibilities of this Islamic institution continue to be safeguarded," he said.Anwar underwent elective laparoscopic surgery yesterday to treat an abdominal hernia.Perikatan Nasional subsequently said that the special sitting should be postponed and reconvened at a later date to allow Anwar to recover.Its secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said that given the public interest in the TH issue and its importance, Anwar should table the report himself.The report is instead expected to be tabled by religious affairs minister Zulkifli Hasan, who will likely wind up the debate with finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan.The RCI report on the pilgrims’ fund was declassified and released to the public on July 29, some four years after the commission completed it in July 2022.It found serious weaknesses in TH’s governance, investment and financial management between 2014 and 2020, and recommended a major overhaul, including tighter oversight, forensic audits of selected investments and limits on political involvement in the institution.
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