PONTIAN, Oct 25 — The much talked-about transfer of position from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is something that has been discussed as it is inevitable, said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

At present, he said it was not a question of who will take over, but when it will take place.

“Dr Mahathir is our leader and let’s wait for that (transition), but in the meantime, we should continue our work.

“At present, the country’s development is more important as the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has many unresolved matters and the prime minister has always stressed the importance of economic recovery,” said Muhyiddin.

He also called on PH leaders to reach a consensus on the matter and stop the infighting.

Muhyiddin, who is also home minister, said this when met after attending a meeting with Home Ministry personnel at the Pontian district police headquarters here today.

The Pagoh MP was asked to comment on the power transition between Dr Mahathir and Anwar and if there is a set date.

Muhyiddin said that he was among the four political party leaders that signed the PH agreement that included then PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

However, he said that he does not recall the actual date on the agreement for the transition.

Muhyiddin explained that the discussion centred on who to nominate as the prime minister.

He said there were initial disagreements when Dr Mahathir was nominated, but many reached a common consensus to name him if PH won (the general election).

“At the same time, Anwar’s name came up as Dr Mahathir’s replacement.

“But the issue is not about who but more of the timing where party leaders should sit down and agree to it,” said the 72-year-old seasoned politician.

Muhyiddin added that it was important that PH component parties display a level of high understanding, cooperation and commitment.

He said such attributes were the backbone for its success in the last general election as the rakyat had confidence in them.

On October 3, Dr Mahathir said the transfer of his position to Anwar has not been deliberated, after the former was again accused of reneging.

However, PH has previously admitted that there was no fixed timeline for the transition.

In December 2016, Bersatu formed an electoral pact with PH and officially joined PH as a member party on March 14 the following year.

It is believed that the agreement of the transition of power was made after Bersatu joined PH in 2017.