Shahidan Kassim has been thrust into the limelight in the ongoing Parliament saga.

But he said discussion should be centred around issues raised by former premier Dr Mahathir instead.

The minister in the Prime Minister's Department, who oversees parliamentary affairs, denied interfering with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia's duties.

Therefore, he said the issue of separation of powers does not arise because Parliament is independent and Pandikar ( photo ) should not have taken aim at him.

"The summary is, what needs to be discussed in this issue are the things raised by Mahathir," he added in a statement today.

Pandikar landed in the limelight after Mahathir revealed that he had resigned. The speaker however denied this.

Yesterday, Pandikar admitted tendering his resignation letter to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak but remained in the post after the latter promised to reform Parliament.

Among others, the speaker wanted the position of the minister overlooking parliamentary affairs to be abolished.

Shahidan, however, defended his post, saying it was the prime minister who put him there

"As an institution that controls and determines the formation of the federal government, the running of parliament receives special and continued attention of the prime minister.

"As such the prime minister decided to place one minister with a specific portfolio to monitor the running of parliament," he added.

Meanwhile, Shahidan said this portfolio does not interfere or disturb the speaker and insisted that both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara speakers carry out their duties freely and separately.

"There is no interference from any party including myself. As the minister in charge (of parliamentary affairs), my duty is only to bring government's motions to be debated in the House.

"The issue of separation of powers has never been raised by the Dewan Rakyat speaker before this and truthfully does not need to be raised," he added.