Perikatan Nasional Lawmakers Stage Walkout Over Tabung Haji RCI Special Sitting; Bersatu Remains to Debate

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 — Lawmakers from opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN) staged a walkout from the Dewan Rakyat chamber this morning in protest against Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s decision to proceed with a special sitting on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into Lembaga Tabung Haji.

The walkout occurred just as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan rose to present the ministerial briefing on the 211-page report.

Opposition chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had raised a point of order seeking a deferment of the session, arguing that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who requested the special sitting, should be present to personally table the findings following his recovery from medical treatment.

Takiyuddin also pointed to the physical absence of Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is currently hospitalised, arguing that the sitting convened under Standing Order 11(3) should feature a full debate and vote rather than being reduced to a ministerial briefing.

“We are not participating in this debate on the opposition’s side,” Takiyuddin declared inside the chamber, adding that debating without the Prime Minister’s presence was tantamount to holding a press conference.

Former minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee supported the deferment request, cautioning against downgrading the special parliamentary session to merely a briefing session.

Responding to the opposition’s demand, Speaker Johari Abdul ruled that proceedings would continue as scheduled, noting that Deputy Prime Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other Cabinet members were present to represent the executive branch.

“If anyone wants to leave, then leave. Those who want to stay, please stay, because the people are watching you,” Johari said before allowing the session to proceed.

Despite the collective walkout by the main PN bloc, Putrajaya MP Datuk Seri Radzi Jidin clarified that remaining Bersatu MPs would stay in the chamber to participate in the briefing and debate session.

“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,” Radzi stated.

The special sitting proceeded with Dr Zulkifli presenting the RCI findings, with Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan slated to join the government’s winding-up session later today.

–NMT