Kuala lumpur: The opposition's decision to walk out from today's special Dewan Rakyat sitting has drawn criticism from the MADANI Government Backbenchers Club chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa. The walkout occurred before Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Religious Affairs, Dr Zulkifli Hasan, was scheduled to brief Members of Parliament on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report concerning Lembaga Tabung Haji.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zaliha expressed her disappointment over the protest, highlighting that the opposition had previously positioned themselves as staunch advocates for Islam and Muslim interests. She criticized their decision to leave the session, questioning their commitment to debating the RCI findings. In a Facebook post, Dr Zaliha challenged the opposition's motives, asking, "Who really does not want the Tabung Haji issue debated?"

Dr Zaliha, also the Sekijang MP, emphasized the importance of challenging disputed RCI findings or government decisions within the parliamentary setting using facts and arguments. She urged the opposition to not merely speak about transparency and Islamic interests outside Parliament but to engage in discussions when presented with the opportunity inside the legislative chamber.

Highlighting the significance of the RCI report, Dr Zaliha noted that the walkout occurred during a debate on the management of Tabung Haji depositors' money, an issue she described as crucial and not suitable for political maneuvering. She further criticized the opposition MPs who walked out, suggesting that their actions leave the public questioning their actual objectives.

The walkout followed objections from opposition MPs against Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul's decision to continue the session without Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's presence. Earlier, Perikatan Nasional chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had proposed postponing the special sitting due to the absence of both the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who were receiving medical treatment.