'I don't care what they say': Pandikar denies taking orders from BN

Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia has denied receiving instructions from BN with regard to deferring the debate on the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) amendments.

This is after MIC president Dr S Subramaniam was reported as stating that the decision to postpone the debate was made during the previous BN supreme council meeting.

"The decision was to allow PAS to present their case and there was agreement that there won’t be voting today. So as far as that is concerned, we followed the decision in the BN council," he had said.

"I don't care what they say. What matters is what I say and what I do," said Pandikar.

"Because what they say, even the (BN) component leaders, is for their political mileage. They go for elections. I don't go for elections," he added.

The speaker said it was the government's wish to complete all government business before Thursday, and he had to abide by this in accordance with Standing Order 15.

"So when I was given freedom on that day, I wanted to end it early," he added.

Yesterday, Pandikar deferred the debate on PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's motion to the next parliament sitting on July 24.

[More to follow]

-Mkini