FUKUOKA: (Bernama): Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed fear that the Malaysian leadership transition issue, when raised often, can create a sense of uncertainty in the country.

According to the Prime Minister, he has repeatedly said that the transition will take place.

"If we are too obsessed with talking about the transition, many people will get a feeling of uncertainty - what happens when the change takes place?" he told Malaysian journalists after concluding his two-day working visit here in Japan on Thursday (Aug 8).

According to an understanding worked out by the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition before it assumed power last year, Dr Mahathir is to step down as the prime minister after two or three years for PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to succeed him.

Recently, three NGOs urged Dr Mahathir to hand over the post to Anwar by May 9, 2021, three years after Pakatan has helmed the Federal Government.

The NGOs are the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0), Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) and Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM).

Dr Mahathir said that when he stepped down previously, with the hope that his successor will continue the policies that have made the country successful, the individual who took over changed the policies.

"Now, when they (the people) hear that there is going to be a change, they will get worried. The fear is that all the policies will be changed, " he said.

Dr Mahathir said he does not think that his successor will change all the policies.

"There may be some changes, approaches, but generally, I think there is no other way to govern Malaysia other than how we have done so for so long, which has brought us success, " he said.

Asked whether Anwar has stated the possibility of a policy change at their meetings, Dr Mahathir said the PKR president expressed support for him. - Bernama