Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad has put the ball in Pakatan Harapan's court over the possibility of making a comeback as prime minister, despite his reservations.

But Harapan leaders don't appear ready to wade into a scenario that could potentially see the return of a prime minister whom many opposition veterans had worked to remove for decades.

Asked if they were willing to consider pushing Mahathir into the premiership, most Harapan leaders would rather kick the ball down the road.

Harapan leaders such as DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke, PKR vice president Tian Chua, and PKR parliamentary whip Johari Abdul, said it was not yet time to discuss such matters.

"Let's cross that bridge when we get there, I think we should focus on winning first," said Tian Chua.

"Let the Harapan leadership council decide," DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang said in brief. 

Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub said that the coaliton should be focusing on its manifesto offerings.

In a Facebook live session on Thursday, Mahathir admitted he might be forced to consider becoming prime minister again if Harapan has such a plan for him in the coming general election.

"I cannot ignore my friends in the Pakatan Harapan coalition. If they have such a plan and it is agreed upon, I may be forced to consider," said the former premier.

It was the first time he had softened his stance despite repeatedly stressing that he did not even want to contest in the next general election.

Despite his reluctance, there continues to be calls for him to take up the premiership again, with a Malaysiakini poll seeing a majority in favour of such a move.

A poll by PKR-linked Invoke also saw Mahathir come out as the second most popular Harapan choice for prime minister.

The top choice however, is Anwar Ibrahim, who despite being in jail, has the backing of PKR, DAP and Amanah.

Though Anwar could be freed as early as next year, in the absence of a pardon, he would be barred from contesting in an election for five years.

This could open the door for Mahathir's return to power, as the same Invoke survey indicated that plans to make Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail interim PM does not sit well with the public.