Since crossing over to the opposition, Dr Mahathir Mohamad has extended an olive branch to his former heir apparent-turned-nemesis Anwar Ibrahim and his family.

However, a group comprising those involved in the Reformasi movement following Mahathir's decision to sack his ex-deputy in 1998 want the former prime minister to apologise.

"Even though he (Mahathir) has shown reconciliatory gestures, Otai Reformis still maintain our stand that he should apologise to Anwar and his family," the group's chairperson Saari Sungib told Malaysiakini.

On the same note, Saari said Otai Reformis would refrain from "making things difficult" for Pakatan Harapan following its recent formal alliance with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

"If that (demand for apology) would make things difficult, we would not insist," added the Hulu Kelang lawmaker, who is also Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Selangor deputy chief.

Last March, Otai Reformis set four conditions to its support for Pakatan Harapan's stand on working with Mahathir to oust Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

This included freeing Anwar from prison.

The former opposition leader is serving a five-year prison sentence for sodomy, which he claims was fabricated, similar to the first sodomy charge against him during Mahathir's tenure.

Since then, Saari noted, the resistance towards Mahathir working with the opposition has diminished but conceded there is still a small group of Anwar supporters who could not accept Mahathir.

However, he said, Otai Reformis rejected the oppositional stand towards Mahathir as the latter has shown he is now open to criticism.

According to Saari, an important face of the reform movement is to possess an open mind.

During the Reformasi period, Anwar's supporters held mass street protests, denouncing Mahathir as a dictator and corrupt leader.

At a press conference earlier, Saari announced that a Malaysian Reformist Convention would be held on Feb 25 and that the venue has not been confirmed.

Asked whether Mahathir would be invited to speak, Saari said Otai Reformis welcomed all political parties, groups and individuals who support their common goal.