Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reiterated that Anwar Ibrahim will succeed him in Putrajaya, amid talk that Umno is interested in forging an alliance with Pakatan Harapan.

"That is my promise," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

“People want to have a new prime minister, not the old prime minister, but at that time (prior to the 14th general election), they had no choice because the other leader is in jail, so he could not very well lead the party.

“So I agreed that I will be there for maybe two years and then the new leader will take (over as) leader," he added.

Mahathir made the remarks during a forum in New York yesterday.

This came amid talk that Umno is exploring a tie-up with Pakatan Harapan as a way to move out of the opposition bench.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that he is open to this occurring before or after Anwar becomes prime minister.

There is no exact timeline for the Mahathir-Anwar transition, with the latter saying he is in no rush to assume the premiership.

Anwar has also urged the public to stop pitting him against Mahathir, saying they have buried the hatchet.

The PKR president-elect will make a bid to return to Parliament through the Port Dickson by-election which will take place on Oct 13.