Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has accused the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) of neglecting Tabung Haji depositors by refusing to take part in a special parliamentary debate on a Royal Commission of Inquiry report into the pilgrimage fund.

Anwar questioned PN’s decision to stay away from the debate despite the coalition’s frequent claims of championing Malay and Muslim interests.

“Do you want to debate about me, or do you want to debate about the interests of Muslims?” Anwar said, according to Malaysiakini.

The prime minister made the remarks amid a parliamentary debate on the findings of the commission, which examined issues concerning Lembaga Tabung Haji, Malaysia’s Islamic pilgrimage fund.

Anwar, who recently underwent surgery, also criticised the opposition for what he described as a failure to engage in a debate concerning the interests of Tabung Haji depositors.

The special Dewan Rakyat sitting was convened to discuss the commission’s report and matters related to the management of the pilgrimage fund.

The prime minister’s remarks came as the government and opposition continued to clash over issues involving Malay and Muslim interests in Malaysia.