PERIKATAN Nasional’s (PN) decision to walk out of the special Dewan Rakyat sitting on the Tabung Haji (TH) Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report was a missed opportunity for the opposition bloc to put forward its arguments, said political analyst Dr Azmi Hassan.
Azmi said the absence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should not have been a reason for the sitting to be postponed, as other senior government representatives were present to address questions from MPs.
He pointed out that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan were available to respond on behalf of the government.
“Anwar’s absence cannot be used as an excuse to delay the special sitting. The deputy prime minister was there, and the minister responsible was also there to answer on behalf of the Cabinet,” he said.
PN MPs had earlier decided to leave the special sitting after their request to postpone the proceedings was rejected by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
PN chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had raised a point of order, arguing that Anwar’s presence was necessary to provide a comprehensive explanation on the TH RCI report, particularly as the prime minister had previously raised the issue.
However, Johari ruled that the sitting would continue as scheduled, with Zulkifli delivering the briefing on the report.
Following the decision, PN MPs were seen leaving the chamber together after Takiyuddin announced that the opposition bloc would not participate in the proceedings.
Azmi said the walkout could have been linked to concerns that the debate would bring renewed scrutiny on the previous PN administration, which was in power when the RCI was established.
The RCI was formed during the administration of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, while the report was completed during the tenure of former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“The RCI was established during Muhyiddin’s administration, while the report was completed during Ismail Sabri’s tenure. Perhaps they wanted to avoid a discussion that could eventually put the spotlight on the PN government at that time,” he said.
Azmi added that the decision to walk out ultimately hurt PN’s own position, as MPs from the bloc lost the chance to participate in the debate and respond directly to issues raised during the sitting.
“The Speaker continued with the proceedings even without PN MPs. This is a disadvantage for PN because they were not there to present their views and arguments,” he said.
The special sitting was convened following the government’s decision to declassify and make public the TH RCI report, which examined governance and financial issues involving the pilgrimage fund.
Anwar was absent from the sitting after undergoing an elective laparoscopic surgery procedure to treat a para-umbilical hernia.
The prime minister’s senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said Anwar had apologised for not being able to attend as he was undergoing treatment and would remain under medical observation for two days.
Datuk Dr Asri Ranga Abdullah Ramaiah, who heads the prime minister’s medical team, had earlier confirmed that Anwar had successfully undergone the procedure. – August 11, 2026
