Apart from shabby furniture, the Dewan Rakyat speaker's office does not even have a toilet.

This, according to BN lawmaker Shahrir Abdul Samad, could have been one of the reasons behind Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia’s decision to quit.

"That may have been the final thing (that led Pandikar to want to resign). But off course, there were many more issues," he said.

"How can you not pay respect and due regard to the speaker?" he added when met in Parliament.

Shahrir ( photo ), who is also the chairperson of the BN Backbenchers Club, was asked to comment on Pandikar's decision.

However, he said a toilet was being constructed in the new office for the speaker.

Pandikar's office was moved to the second floor of a temporary makeshift building as the Parliament building undergoes major renovation.

Yesterday, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad claimed that Pandikar's office furniture was in poor condition and the latter was embarrassed to entertain VIP guests there.

This afternoon, the speaker clarified that he did tender his resignation letter but decided to remain in the post when Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak promised to make changes.

At a press conference held at his house earlier this afternoon, Pandikar had lamented that the upgrades he had sought had not been implemented, although seven years had passed since he assumed the post.

 

He also complained that the executive interfered in legislative matters.

 

In confirming this, Shahrir said this had happened during the issue of remuneration for MPs which was originally decided by the executive, but later adjusted by the house committee.

 

The legislative body was now happy with the correction, claimed the Johor Baru parliamentarian.

 

"Things have become better, but the executive needs to be mindful that Parliament has its own processes," he said.

 

Problems with Shahidan

The creation of the Parliament Department led by a director-general, after the 11th Parliament session, had also made Pandikar uncomfortable, he disclosed.

 

Pandikar also has problems with Shahidan Kassim ( photo ), the minister in the Prime Minister's Department, who oversees Parliament affairs, he said.

 

Pandikar has called for this post to be abolished.

 

"It's not just Shahidan, there's also (a situation) with the Senate, the Lower House, Parliament Department, and the minister in charge of Parliament," said Shahrir.

 

While Pandikar has authority in Parliament Department, the Senate opines it enjoys a higher standing as an 'upper house' he said.

 

This was never an issue before, he said, previously, the Senate realised the government of the day was the Dewan Rakyat.

 

"So, it's just a mixture of many things that caused Pandikar's unhappiness," he explained.

 

Sign of protest

Meanwhile, Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) ( photo ) said Pandikar had taken leave in the last Parliament session, which met from March 8 to April 8.

 

When asked if Pandikar did that to express dissatisfaction and frustration, he said, "maybe".

 

There were rumours that Pandikar took leave three weeks, as a sign of protest against the lack of washroom facilities in his office.

 

The Upko vice-president also said the speaker was frustrated that his orders were not followed properly, while his proposals and advice in administrating Parliament were not heeded.

 

When news broke out about Pandikar's resignation, he said, leaders in Sabah called the speaker or marched to his house to speak with him.

 

"Pandikar is rational, he had reason to do so (resign). But he's also a mature man, and knows the consequences of his resignation," he noted.

 

"If Pandikar were to resign, it would be very bad for the government and Parliament in the eyes of the world, as Parliament should be independent and not controlled," he said.