Mahathir: Speaker Pandikar does not want to carry on
Former premier tells of Pandikar Amin’s decision but deputy speaker says it’s speculation.
(Free Malaysia Today) – The Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Pandikar Amin Mulia, does not want to carry on, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in Ipoh today, according to media reports.
His statement could not be immediately confirmed. However deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee was reported to have told The Star Online that talk of Pandikar Amin’s resignation was pure speculation.
Dr Mahathir was reported to have told a public forum of a meeting with Pandikar Amin. “He came to see me. He said he does not want to carry on, so now the speaker is his deputy,” Dr Mahathir said, according to media reports.
Dr Mahathir did not say why Pandikar Amin wanted to resign. Parliament reconvenes on Monday.
There had been speculation in recent days about the Speaker’s discontent with the way the Federal Government had carried out its legislative business in the Dewan Rakyat.
Before the House took a break last month, the government had rushed through several important Bills, with sittings running into the small hours of the morning.
