THE decision by Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs to walk out of the special Dewan Rakyat sitting on the Tabung Haji (TH) Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report showed a lack of seriousness in addressing issues involving the pilgrimage fund, said Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
In a Facebook post, the Madani Government Backbenchers Club (BBC) chairman said the walkout was disappointing as MPs had been given the opportunity to scrutinise, question and debate the findings of the RCI report in Parliament.
She said if the opposition disagreed with any of the findings, they should have remained in the chamber to challenge them with facts instead of leaving the proceedings.
“If there are findings in the RCI that they disagree with, they should stand up and challenge them with facts. If there are government decisions they want to question, they should raise them in the Dewan,” she said.
Dr Zaliha said the move was particularly disappointing as the debate involved matters related to the management and accountability of Tabung Haji, which holds the savings of millions of depositors.
She questioned why opposition MPs chose to leave when Parliament provided the platform for them to voice their concerns.
“Those who are truly serious about defending the interests of Muslims should be in the Dewan, study the report and debate every issue they disagree with,” she said.
Dr Zaliha also took aim at the opposition’s previous claims of championing Islamic issues, saying such commitments should be reflected through parliamentary debate and not just statements outside the House.
“Do not speak outside about transparency, trust and the interests of Muslims, but when the time comes to face the facts inside the Dewan, choose to walk out,” she said.
Earlier today, PN MPs left the chamber after 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 a postponement, citing the absence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also finance minister, and argued that his presence was needed 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 delivering the briefing.
Anwar was absent from the sitting after undergoing an elective laparoscopic surgery procedure to treat a para-umbilical hernia. He is expected to remain under medical observation. - August 11, 2026
