Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has criticised the opposition for allegedly focusing more on his absence from a special Dewan Rakyat sitting than on the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the management of Tabung Haji (TH).
In a social media post on Tuesday, Anwar, who is currently undergoing medical treatment, said the main focus should be the RCI report and issues surrounding the management of Tabung Haji rather than his condition or attendance at the special parliamentary sitting.
“Do you want to debate about me, or do you want to debate about Tabung Haji? Do you want to know about me, or do you want to know about the betrayal of Tabung Haji?” he said.
Anwar stressed that the matter involved the interests of Muslims and should not be turned into a platform for political games.
“Malay Muslims have been betrayed, yet some still want to play political drama? Especially when it comes from those who claim to champion Malay Muslims,” he said.
He also questioned the stance of Perikatan Nasional (PN), which is led by PAS, towards the interests of Tabung Haji depositors, particularly those who work hard to save money to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam — performing the Haj.
“What about the interests of the poor, fishermen, farmers, teachers, police officers, soldiers and retirees who work hard to save their money in Tabung Haji to perform the fifth pillar of Islam?” Anwar asked.
He said greater attention should instead be given to protecting the interests of Tabung Haji depositors and ensuring that their savings and trust in the institution are safeguarded.
The remarks came as a special Dewan Rakyat sitting was held to debate the RCI report on Tabung Haji.
Anwar had earlier said he would be unable to attend the special sitting due to health reasons but would closely follow the parliamentary debate.
The sitting proceeded with the debate on the RCI report after the Dewan Rakyat Speaker rejected a request to postpone the proceedings over the Prime Minister’s absence.
