Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia denied former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s claims earlier today that he had quit his post.

“I wish to deny news of the resignation of the Dewan Rakyat speaker, as reported through social media,” he said in a statement late this evening.

On the contrary, the speaker said he would continue his duties including chairing the upcoming parliamentary sitting, which starts on Monday, as well as other duties.

This includes attending the swearing-in ceremony for the new MPs of Permatang Pauh and Rompin, and presiding over the tabling of the 11th Malaysia Plan on May 21.

The statement follows claims by Mahathir during a forum in Ipoh this afternoon that Pandikar has resigned as House speaker.

“The speaker has quit. He met me saying he wanted to quit […] Now the chair of the Dewan Rakyat is his deputy,” he told a crowd of 2,000 at a gathering organised by Gopeng Umno.

Mahathir was responding to a question from the audience whether Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak can be toppled through a vote of no confidence.

Deputy House speaker Ronald Kiandee ( photo ) was earlier reported to have dismissed claims of Pandikar’s resignation.

According to Kiandee, the resignation has been a recurring speculation since the last parliamentary session which ended on April 9.

The Star quoted him saying that he had met Pandikar a few days ago, and the speaker made no mention of resigning.

"Even in the last (parliamentary) session, talk of his resignation emerged but he was on official leave. He turned up at the end of session,’’ Kiandee added.

A source close to Mahathir disclosed that Pandikar met with Mahathir at Yayasan Bukhary.

"The meeting took place on a Friday before he (Pandikar) took leave. He told Tun he wanted to resign," he told Malaysiakini .

Dr M ready to be kicked out of Umno, again

Back at Mahathir’s talk, the veteran politician said it would be difficult to oust Najib through a no-confidence motion because it requires not only the support of Umno MP, but other BN parliamentarians as well.

 

In addition, he believes that Umno MPs would not dare to support the motion as they have their own interests to protect.

 

“It is true that the Parliament can topple Najib through a no-confidence vote, but Umno MPs are not the majority. They would have to get support from (other) BN parliamentarians.

 

“Umno MPs are weak and they would not dare do anything. They are afraid that they won’t become candidates at the next election.”

 

When asked if he was prepared to be sacked from Umno, Mahathir replied, “Is that even a question? If he (Najib) wants to sack me, then sack. I have been sacked before during Tunku (Abdul Rahman’s) time,” he said.