Opposition MPs stage walkout, demand Tabung Haji RCI debate with PM's presence

PARLIAMENT | A group of opposition MPs from Perikatan Nasional staged a walkout from the Dewan Rakyat this morning just before the government presented the royal commission of inquiry report on Tabung Haji.

It was a show of protest against Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul's decision to proceed with the special sitting despite their demand for a postponement.

They had sought that Johari defer the discussion to a later date so that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is on medical leave, can be present to table the report and allow a proper debate on the matter.

“We are not participating in this debate on the opposition’s side,” PN chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan said, just as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan rose to begin the briefing session on the RCI report.

Johari then invited any opposition lawmakers who wished to leave the chamber to do so.

“If anyone wants to leave, then leave. Those who want to stay, please stay, because the people are watching you,” he said after deciding that the proceedings would continue.

Don’t ‘downgrade’ sitting

Earlier, Takiyuddin (PN-Kota Bharu) argued that the special sitting should be postponed in Anwar’s absence, as well as Deputy Prime Minister II Fadillah Yusof, who is also hospitalised.

Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) said the special sitting convened under Standing Order 11(3) should not be “downgraded” to only a ministerial briefing.

“I support our chief whip (Takiyuddin) for the sitting to be postponed,” said the suspended Bersatu leader.

Meanwhile, Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) said all remaining Bersatu MPs, now at odds with other PN components, will remain to participate in the briefing.

“We will not walk out. This is an important issue for the people, and there is no need for political drama.

“In fact, we ask for more time to debate. The rakyat deserves the truth,” he added.

Wedding without the bride or groom

MPs earlier stood up to question whether the session should proceed, including Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu), who likened the situation to holding a wedding without the bride or groom.

“Now the wedding is being held, but the bride or groom has not turned up,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

However, Johari said Rosol’s comparison was inappropriate, noting that cabinet members were still present at the special sitting, including the deputy prime minister.

“There is no wedding. Listen, everyone. All of us, including myself, are bound by Standing Order 11(3), which means that when the prime minister requested this sitting to be held, he sent a letter and I agreed to allow this sitting to take place.

“This is not a wedding, but a parliamentary sitting. As for saying the prime minister is not here today, we still have the deputy prime minister here, representing the cabinet, as well as other ministers.

“So, we will proceed with the special sitting,” he added.

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