Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad should not act like controversial US presidential candidate Donald Trump, and only say things are fair when they go his way, said an Umno minister.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said this when asked about Mahathir's remarks that Parliament Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia was biased towards the government.

Shabery drew parallels between this and Trump's remarks that he would only accept the outcome of the US elections if he wins.

"If he loses he will consider (the elections) rigged. That is the same (mentality) as the opposition parties here.

"There's no difference between Trump and the opposition parties.

"I don't want Mahathir to be like Trump. It is biased if it doesn't side with him, but if it goes his way that's okay," Shabery told reporters when met in the Parliament lobby today.

Mahathir had earlier today accused Pandikar of being biased and of protecting certain individuals by blocking questions critical of the government from being raised in the House.

This was after Pandikar ruled that more than 30 oral questions related to the US Department of Justice's 1MDB-linked probe could not be raised in the House, on grounds of sub judice.

Pandikar had also said that former cabinet ministers Husni Hanadzlah, Muhyiddin Yassin, and Shafie Apdal may have broken their oaths of secrecy by speaking about 1MDB while debating Budget 2017.

This prompted Mahathir to say Parliament was freer when he was in the House.

Shabery, however, said the former premier was known for silencing dissent, and had even strengthened the Official Secrets Act during his time.

The Kemaman MP added if Mahathir was against silencing critics, he should have done something when he was still in power.

"But now that he is not in power, only now does he say that this and that are not good. I believe there may be udang di sebalik batu (ulterior motives).”