Fahmi rejects PAS claim that Anwar put M'sia in diplomatic bind over Taiwan remarks

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil dismissed PAS Secretary-General Takiyuddin Hassan's claim that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's recent remarks on China and Taiwan would complicate Malaysia's diplomatic relations. Fahmi affirmed that Malaysia's stance on China and Taiwan has remained constant since the time of late Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein and that Anwar's comments aligned with the longstanding policy of the government, as reported by Bernama.

Fahmi noted that Anwar's remarks only echoed the position of Wisma Putra, reinforcing the consistency of Malaysia's approach. The PAS leader had argued that Malaysia's support for the "One China" policy didn't warrant Anwar's assertion that Taiwan was part of China. Fahmi questioned the PAS party's focus on foreign policy matters while remaining silent on critical domestic issues concerning the Muslim community, citing the recent Tabung Haji royal commission of inquiry report.

The communications minister expressed regret that certain parties, including Pas members, frequently comment on unrelated foreign issues but remain silent on significant domestic matters like the financial mismanagement exposed in the Tabung Haji report. He urged these parties to focus more on the issues that directly impact the Muslim community, particularly in light of the fact that the department in question had been declassified on July 29, revealing financial irregularities.

The government had released the Tabung Haji report after a special Dewan Rakyat sitting, which Anwar could not attend due to recent surgery. PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang had criticized the government's handling of the Tabung Haji scandal, alleging it was being used to tarnish the reputation of Malay Muslims.