The former Dewan Rakyat speaker was asked if there was any truth to talk that PKR had worked out a deal with Usno for the latter to contest and spoil the votes for Warisan, as “payback” to the dominant party in the state for giving only seven seats to PKR to contest.

Pandikar was also asked if Usno had agreed to contest because of his (Pandikar’s) good relations with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

“There is no cooperation with PKR. This question makes it like we have a pact, that we ‘kaw tim’,” he told reporters.

“I have good relations with all leaders. You must remember I was the speaker for 10 years. All 222 MPs, including the prime minister, I was their boss.

“If we really ‘kaw tim’, then why would we put candidates where PKR is contesting, like in Tempasuk. Usno is independent.”

Pandikar also said he found it ridiculous that Amir Kahar Mustapha, the son of Usno founder the late Mustapha Datu Harun, had demanded that the party apologise to his family for using his father’s name and legacy for the election.

He said Amir and his family should instead be thanking the party for reminding the people of his father’s contributions and Usno’s struggles.

“By right, he (Amir) should be apologising to the Sabah people for not joining Usno and contesting as an independent in Banggi,” he said.

“We have no intention of smearing Mustapha’s name, instead we are upholding it. Plus all the photos (Mustapha’s) are in the public domain.”

Amir had previously demanded that Usno not use Mustapha’s image in the polls for its political benefit.

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