Anwar’s Taiwan remarks won’t hurt diplomacy, says Fahmi

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has dismissed PAS Secretary-General Takiyuddin Hassan's claim that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's recent remarks on China and Taiwan would place Malaysia in a challenging diplomatic position. Fahmi emphasized that Malaysia's stance on China and Taiwan has remained unchanged since the tenure of late Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein and reiterated that Anwar's remarks aligned with Wisma Putra's longstanding policy.

The Prime Minister merely echoed this position, Fahmi stated during the Program Kenduri Rakyat Madani in Kuala Lumpur today. Takiyuddin had argued that Anwar's affirmation of Malaysia's support for the 'One China' policy and his claim that Taiwan was part of China 'full stop' could be problematic. Fahmi questioned why PAS had been so vocal on foreign policy matters but remained silent on local issues affecting the Muslim community, such as the report on Tabung Haji's financial irregularities.

Fahmi expressed regret over PAS's extensive comments on foreign policy matters but their silence on significant domestic issues like the Tabung Haji report. He urged PAS to focus more on local matters, particularly after the government declassified the Tabung Haji report on July 29, revealing undisclosed financial losses and "creative accounting".

Most Perikatan Nasional MPs boycotted a special sitting to protest Anwar's absence due to post-surgery recovery. PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had previously criticized the Tabung Haji issue as being exaggerated to tarnish Malay Muslims' reputation.