Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia admitted that he met former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, but denied he said he would be quitting.

He said Mahathir had probably assumed he was quitting because of his disappointment with Parliament.

“It was a meeting between leaders to discuss what is happening to the country.

“But when he said the speaker wants to (resign), maybe it is because I am disappointed with the current Parliament, which always brings up petty matters,” Pandikar is quoted as saying by Utusan Online .

Speaking to reporters in Kota Belud, Sabah, he added, meeting Mahathir was not unusual as the former prime minister is the mentor to many politicians in the country.

Yesterday, Mahathir announced during a speech in Ipoh that Pandikar would be quitting as speaker of the Dewan Rakyat.

Pandikar later denied this, and said he would continue his duties including chairing the parliamentary sitting tomorrow.

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.

Deputy house speaker Ronald Kiandee reportedly said Pandikar' resignation has been a recurring speculation since the last parliamentary session which ended on April 9.

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