PETALING JAYA: The candidate for the eight prime minister succeeding Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be solely determined by MPs in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat, says veteran journalist Datuk A. Kadir Jasin (pic).

While noting it was a Pakatan Harapan promise that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will take over as the next prime minister, Kadir pointed out that only the candidate who enjoys the support of the majority of MPs can be sworn in as premier.

"In case of a dispute, a vote of confidence can be called to determine if the candidate has the support of the majority.

"This is allowed but in the past, it was unnecessary because the ruling party was in firm control of the House and the selection of the PM candidate was unanimous," the Prime Minister's media adviser said on Sunday (Feb 9).

"This is a test of a mature democracy. Let us celebrate it," he added.

Kadir was responding to Dr Mahathir, who told Malaya Post TV in an interview on Saturday (Feb 8) that the promise on the leadership transition remains but a prime minister must command the support of the majority in Parliament.

Prior to GE14, Pakatan leaders agreed that Anwar would be the eighth prime minister, replacing Dr Mahathir, should the coalition win.

PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man told reporters on Saturday that the Islamist party would be tabling a vote of confidence in Dr Mahathir's leadership when the Parliament sitting commences next March.

In order for a vote of confidence to succeed in Parliament, it requires the support of a simple majority in the House, which is 112 out of 222 MPs.