The group dismissed Mahathir’s comments as “political rhetoric aimed only at ensuring he remains as prime minister” after he said he will vacate the post when the country is debt-free, adding that he has been working 18 hours a day.

Mahathir had said in an interview in New York that he will step down before the next general election and that he will have three years at the most.

Otai Reformis reiterated that the promise for Anwar to take over from Mahathir as prime minister after two years was agreed upon at a Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council meeting before the last general election.

“As long as Mahathir does not fulfil his promise, we worry that our economy will be in a state of uncertainty as foreign investors will be cautious in this environment.

The group stressed that if this continues, the people will lose faith in PH leaders as a whole and not just in Mahathir.

In August, Otai Reformis decided to set Mahathir a deadline by which he should hand over the reins to Anwar, adding that it should be in January or May next year.

Under a deal struck by the PH leadership, Anwar was to succeed Mahathir as prime minister two years after the coalition took power.

But Mahathir has given vague assurances about the transfer of power, saying there was no time frame agreed upon.