Report: Pandikar to make political comeback

Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia hopes to return to active politics and be a member of the very House which he had presided for nine years.

"After nine years as speaker, leading the Commonwealth parliamentary conference and giving orders, comments and ordering elected representatives to sit down, it my wish that I, in turn, shall be in the same House and told to sit down," he said, according to Sabah-based newspaper The Daily Express.

Pandikar, who expressed desire to return to active politics last month, is believed to be also considering his former Tempasuk state seat or the new seat of Pintasa, created in the recent state redelineation process.

Both are in the Kota Belud constituency.

If he contests at Parliament level, he is likely to stand in the Kota Belud constituency, the daily said.

The seat is now held by Minister in the Prime Miniser's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

The Daily Express said if this happens, Abdul Rahman will stand for election at Sepanggar instead.

Pandikar told daily, "Where I will contest, in principle, has been finalised."

"But I leave it to the wisdom of BN leaders, both at the State and Federal levels to decide.

"But for now it is confirmed I am returning to politics."

Pandikar was first elected during the Usukan by-election in 1982 on the defunct United Sabah National Organisation's (Usno) ticket, defeating now Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak, who was then a Parti Berjaya candidate.

Both are now Umno members.- Mkini