A pro-reformasi group has expressed opposition to Dr Mahathir Mohamad's leadership of Pakatan Harapan and his possible appointment as prime minister, senior minister or adviser if the coalition captures federal power.

Otai Reformasi 1998 also demanded that Harapan includes a pledge in its election manifesto to form a peace and justice commission to look into the allegations against the former prime minister.

The group agreed that its members who have positions in Pakatan Harapan parties will relinquish their posts in Otai Reformasi.

“Following this decision, chairperson of Otai Reformasi, Saari Sungib, has resigned,” reads a media statement from the movement that was issued this afternoon.

Saari is also Selangor Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) deputy chairperson and Hulu Kelang assemblyperson.

The statement revealed that Otai Reformasi secretary Abdul Razak Ismail (photo) has also resigned from the movement.

According to the statement, Abdul Razak, who is said to disagree with Mahathir joining Harapan, has decided to contest against Harapan parties in the next general election, under the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) ticket.

Contacted later, Abdul Razak told Malaysiakini that Otai Reformasi reached this decision during a meeting last night.

He said Saari had resigned due to “conflict of interest” since Amanah supported the leadership of Mahathir.

The reformasi movement was born after Mahathir sacked his then deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, in September 1998.

Mahathir had accused Anwar of being immoral and unfit to lead the nation, while the latter accused the former prime minister of fabricating charges of sexual misconduct and abuse of power against him.

Following his sacking and subsequent incarceration, tens of thousands took to the streets against Mahathir, often culminating in violent clashes with the police.

Following his release from prison, Anwar formed PKR and later became opposition leader as well as the de facto head of Harapan's now defunct predecessor Pakatan Rakyat.

Anwar, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for another sodomy charge, which he also claims was fabricated, has since agreed to collaborate with Mahathir to oust BN and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak from power.

Last week, Mahathir once again defended his decision to expel Anwar in 1998.