KOTA KINABALU: Former Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia (pic) described the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as a fair and kind prime minister.
He said it was during Abdullah's tenure that he (Pandikar) became the first Bornean state Malaysian to be recommended for the speaker's post after the 2008 general election.
"My appointment showed that Pak Lah was fair in terms of the distribution of power in his government," he said in extending his condolences to the family of Abdullah, who passed away on Monday (April 14).
He said as the head of government, Abdullah never interfered in parliamentary affairs.
"Pak Lah never gave me any instructions to act in favour of the government.
"In other words, as a prime minister who practised democracy, he ensured that there was a separation of powers between the Executive and Legislative," Pandikar said on Tuesday (April 15).
"I am deeply indebted to him for his kindness in approving my appointment as the eighth speaker," said Pandikar, who is Usno president.
