“Well, I take it as a compliment because Mahathir was my former boss,” Pandikar said in a positive tone at a press conference in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Pandikar subsequently questioned Mahathir, “which side is he on now?”
“Mahathir wants to topple the government, not me.”
He reminded that his main responsibility was to protect the integrity of Parliament.
“I am not worried about his remarks at all,” he said, adding that in other countries, parliament speakers don’t have to explain themselves when they make a decision, in contrast to the practice in Malaysia.
“In Malaysia, I have to give reasons when I make a decision. And if I don’t explain, see what happens.”
Yesterday, Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, labelled Pandikar as a goalkeeper for Barisan Nasional.
Mahathir said Pandikar “talks too much”, and had accused the Speaker of blocking motions and debates against the government.
Meanwhile, Pandikar lamented that he was not being appreciated even after making reforms to the parliamentary institution.
“I’m losing steam. I am not being appreciated for what I do. I am being hammered every day.”
When a reporter asked whether he will push for the prime minister’s question time, he casually said “I will try” for the next parliamentary session.