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Yesterday, BN Backbenchers Club (BBC) chairman Shahrir Abdul Samad resigned from his post after members of the backbench refused to join him in supporting the Opposition's motion to to refer a Member of Parliament to the privileges committee for interfering in the professional duty of Customs and Excise Department.

In announcing his resignation, Shahrir cited the big word: "PRINCIPLE".

This is to put on record via exceprts from theSun (May 5, 2006):

Shahrir said: "I support it personally but I feel, as BBC chairman, since my colleagues in the club did not follow me, meaning I am not an effective chairman.

"So, I will inform the Whip Chief (Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak), I am going to quit as BBC chairman. I think this is the most respected decision or stand I have to take."

This shocked reporters who asked whether he actually wanted to resign, and Shahrir said: "Yes, I am going to do that. I will write a letter to Najib soon."

Asked for his reason to quit suddenly, he said it is about being consistent in one's principles.

"It would be meaningless for me to debate on the principles of the Parliament, the running of Parliament, how it should be managed if I do not get support from my colleagues."

Asked whether he was disappointed, Shahrir said if members of the club did not agree with his principles of leadership, he had to quit, adding he did not ask for the position but was elected in 2003.

Responding to the probing questions from the Press, Shahrir said:

Like in all things, I have my principles. For example when I decided to resign as MP some time ago, I made a decision because of certain principles. You must have principles. In politics, you must have principles.

Just like in the media, you must have principles. If your boss tells you your story must be changed, then you must resign.

We will see if a Teflon non-stick pan will be put on sale -- in and outside the Parfliament and leading to the newsrooms.