Analyst says PN’s walkout over the Prime Minister’s absence risks overshadowing debate on Tabung Haji and raising questions over depositor interests
KUALA LUMPUR: The decision by Opposition Members of Parliament to stage a walkout from the Dewan Rakyat has been described as more of a political protest strategy than a genuine effort to address issues concerning Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).
Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Social Sciences lecturer Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said leaving the debate on an issue as significant as TH risked creating a narrative that the Opposition did not care about the trust and interests of TH depositors.
“I see the walkout as more of a political protest strategy over the Prime Minister’s absence, rather than being solely about the TH issue. But the question is whether a walkout is the most appropriate strategy. In my view, not necessarily.
“If the main reason is the Prime Minister’s absence, the Opposition actually still has a more effective avenue by remaining in the chamber, debating the RCI, raising critical questions and putting their position on record,” he told Bernama today.
He said the fact that some Opposition MPs chose to remain in the chamber also showed there were differing assessments within the Opposition bloc itself regarding the effectiveness of walking out.
Sivamurugan said walking out of the sitting only offered an advantage in terms of publicity compared with substantive debate that could put their official arguments on record in the interests of the people.
However, he said such an action could create a narrative that the Opposition was more interested in staging a protest than using Parliament to fight for the interests of depositors.
“At the same time, the government also needs to understand that the Prime Minister’s absence from this highly sensitive debate does carry symbolic significance for the Opposition.
“So, the walkout should not simply be viewed as an irresponsible act. It is a political signal. However, that signal would be stronger if followed by arguments, figures and concrete proposals,” he said.
He said Parliament’s role as a check and balance requires a continuous record of arguments rather than symbolic actions alone.
“In conclusion, a walkout may generate publicity, but debate creates a record. In a system of political checks and balances, the record of arguments is more valuable than the symbolism of leaving the chamber.
“A walkout can be a symbol of protest, but Parliament is the arena for proving one’s arguments. If they walked out because the PM was absent, they may have won symbolically but risk losing in terms of the narrative by leaving the best platform to debate the TH issue,” he said.
Members of Parliament from Perikatan Nasional (PN), including Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, walked out of the Dewan Rakyat today and will not take part in the debate on the RCI report concerning TH.
PN Chief Whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and PN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Samsuri Mokhtar also walked out.
Earlier, Takiyuddin proposed that the special sitting be adjourned following the absence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who are both undergoing treatment for health issues.
The special sitting provides MPs with an opportunity to examine the TH RCI report, which was made public on July 29 after the government decided that its findings should be made known to the people.
