Saifuddin, who is also foreign minister, said PH only made the decision that Anwar Ibrahim would be appointed to the post after Mahathir steps down.

“PH only made the decision and agreed that after Tun M (Mahathir), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be the next prime minister. We didn’t discuss the rest as they understand each other.

“They both (Mahathir and Anwar) should be able to determine the best time for transfer of power and so on,” he said when asked whether there was a concrete agreement for Mahathir to remain as an interim prime minister for only two years.

Saifuddin, who is also Indera Mahkota MP, was met by reporters after attending a motivational workshop for Form Six students at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Astana, here.

The issue of the transfer of power was brought up by several delegates at the PPBM annual general assembly over the weekend, with some suggesting that Mahathir be allowed one full term.

Meanwhile, commenting on the Cameron Highlands parliamentary by-election, Saifuddin said the decision on which coalition partner would contest the seat would be made at the PH presidential council meeting on Friday.

He said PH would normally allow the party which had contested the seat in the general election to also contest in the by-election. The Cameron Highlands seat was previously contested by DAP.

At the same time, Saifuddin said, there had been no request from other component parties to contest in the seat.

The Cameron Highlands by-election was called after the Election Court declared the result of the Cameron Highlands parliamentary election null and void after ruling that corrupt practices were committed by the Barisan Nasional to garner votes.

Nomination for the Cameron Highlands by-election is on Jan 12 while polling day will be on Jan 26.