PKR Youth vice-chief Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman has reminded Pakatan Harapan of the pledge made during the coalition's formation to make Anwar Ibrahim prime minister.

Thanking Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for leading the nation in his advanced age, he also emphasised the need for a transition of power plan to be put in place.

“A transition period of two years or two-and-a-half years (since Harapan came into power) should be considered...

“The transition of power cannot happen later than three years or be seen to be rushed. It must be properly outlined to ensure the stability of the government,” he added in a statement this afternoon.

He said a delayed transition would make it difficult for the new prime minister to put things in place as the coalition would be at the tail-end of its term in office.

Syed Badli's statement comes in the wake of Mahathir's remarks regarding the transition plan.

Speaking to the foreign media after delivering a speech in conjunction with his administration's first anniversary yesterday, the premier said he would step down after resolving the problems inherited from the previous government.

Pressed further, he replied: "I don't know whether it is three years or two years, but I am an interim prime minister."

Yesterday, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa claimed that Mahathir's speech contained a subtle message for Harapan parties and was a checkmate for Anwar.

Harapan comprising PKR, DAP and PAS was formed in 2015.

Mahathir's party Bersatu joined the coalition in 2017 and the 93-year-old politician was later appointed as the Harapan chairperson.

The coalition also agreed that Anwar would succeed Mahathir, although the timeframe has kept changing since then.

Although the pair denied there is a rift, speculation is rife that certain quarters do not want Anwar to become prime minister.