Kuala Lumpur: Several Members of Parliament (MPs) strongly criticised opposition lawmakers who boycotted Tuesday’s ministerial briefing in the Dewan Rakyat on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on the management and operations of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) from 2014 to 2020.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the decision by some opposition MPs to walk out also reflected a failure to fulfil their role in providing checks and balances.
“It is deeply unfortunate that those in the opposition who speak the loudest in the name of Malays and Islam chose to boycott a debate on one of the most important institutions for the Malay-Muslim community.
“I do not agree that the responsibilities of healthy MPs should come to a halt simply because a prime minister is unwell. Parliament is not a one-man show,” he said during the debate on the RCI report.
Syed Saddiq said the walkout amounted to turning away from the trust placed in MPs by more than 10 million TH depositors.
“These Muslim depositors expect us as MPs to provide checks and balances and find comprehensive solutions to protect their interests and dignity. If there are facts, debate them. If there is wrongdoing, expose it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pagoh MP Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said six Bersatu MPs chose to remain in the August House and take part in the RCI debate despite other opposition lawmakers walking out.
“We are also in the opposition, but we are a responsible opposition. We are taking part in debating an extremely important issue involving nearly 10 million TH depositors,” he said.
Muhyiddin’s view was echoed by Putrajaya MP Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, who said, “This is an important issue for the people and there is no need for political drama.
The people need to know the truth.”Padang Serai MP Datuk Azman Nasrudin also expressed regret that some MPs had boycotted the special Dewan Rakyat sitting for what he described as unreasonable grounds.
“We represent 10 million depositors and more than 30 million Malaysians, with the country’s finances at stake,” he said.
Sri Gading MP Aminolhuda Hassan, meanwhile, praised MPs who took part in the debate, including Betong MP Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman anak Begri.
“I congratulate Betong. Although he is not a Muslim, he debated the issue very well, based on his duty and responsibility as an elected representative,” he said.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and PN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Samsuri Mokhtar were among those who walked out of the Dewan Rakyat and did not take part in the debate on the RCI report after the ministerial briefing by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
Meanwhile, Angkatan Muda Keadilan chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim described the decision by PN coalition partners, particularly PAS and Wawasan, to boycott the RCI briefing as irresponsible and disappointing.
He said Parliament was the country’s highest official forum for debating and scrutinising matters concerning public welfare and institutional transparency, and for demanding explanations.
“Walking away from this special sitting not only demonstrates political immaturity but also appears to disregard the interests of millions of depositors who depend on the integrity of TH management. It also creates the perception that the priorities of certain political parties come before efforts to safeguard TH's financial position and future,” he said in a statement.
