PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has questioned Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) priorities after its MPs walked out of a special Dewan Rakyat sitting on the Tabung Haji (TH) Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report, saying the focus should be on the pilgrimage fund’s issues rather than political disputes.
In a statement, Anwar questioned whether the opposition was more interested in discussing his absence from the sitting or the findings of the RCI report, which examined issues involving the management of Tabung Haji.
“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 against Tabung Haji?” he said.
Anwar said the matter involved millions of depositors, including ordinary Malaysians who had worked hard to save their money with the hope of performing the haj.
He highlighted groups such as fishermen, farmers, teachers, police personnel, soldiers and retirees, questioning whether their interests were being sidelined amid political exchanges.
“The Malays and Muslims have been betrayed, but there are still those who want to play political drama,” he said.
The prime minister also questioned whether PN, which is led by PAS, was truly prioritising the concerns of those who had placed their savings in Tabung Haji.
His remarks came after PN MPs left the chamber earlier today when their request to postpone the special sitting was rejected by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
PN chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had sought the postponement, arguing that Anwar’s absence was significant as the prime minister, who is also finance minister, should be present to provide a comprehensive explanation on the RCI report.
However, Johari ruled that the sitting would proceed, with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, presenting the briefing.
Anwar was absent after undergoing an elective laparoscopic surgery procedure to treat a para-umbilical hernia. He is expected to remain under medical observation for two days. – August 11, 2026
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