Saari Sungib, who resigned as chairperson of Otai Reformasi 1998, has explained his support for Dr Mahathir Mohamad leading the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

The Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Selangor deputy chief said he made this stand in the name of the coalition and not because he supported the former premier.

“I am trying to be professional and not emotional towards Mahathir. I will limit my support for him.

“I will not salam-salam (greet him), I will not kiss Mahathir,” the Hulu Kelang assemblyperson told Malaysiakini.

Saari said he is with Mahathir because the latter is crucial with regard to the aim of removing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and BN from power.

“I cannot force people (to accept Mahathir). But for me, the matter (concerning Mahathir) has been discussed in the party and I respect the party's decision. That is my level,” he added.

Yesterday, Otai Reformasi 1998 revealed that Saari and the movement's secretary Abdul Razak Ismail had resigned.

This followed a meeting where the movement decided to oppose Mahathir's leadership of Harapan.

Otai Reformasi 1998 also objected to Mahathir's appointment as prime minister, senior minister or adviser if Harapan captured federal power in the coming general election.

Apart from this, the movement 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.

Meanwhile, Abdul Razak is planning to contest against Harapan in the next polls under a Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) ticket.

Selangor executive council member Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said Pakatan Harapan has yet to finalise its seat allocations and will try to accommodate all candidates from parties that support its agenda against BN.

"So, I think it (PSM's intention to contest) is okay.

"At Harapan level, we try to accommodate all parties that support our agenda; even though the party is not a coalition member, we will try to cooperate," Nik Nazmi, the Seri Setia assemblyperson, said when asked for comments on Abdul Razak's decision to leave PKR and potentially contest in Selangor on a PSM ticket.

PSM central committee member S Arutchelvan yesterday said Harapan has not initiated any talks on seat discussions, nor has it showed any interest to do so.

Asked whether the time has come for Harapan to engage with PSM, Nik Nazmi, who is also PKR Youth chief, insisted that Harapan's seat negotiation team will take all related matters into consideration.

"But like I said, all parties that are committed against BN, we will accommodate," he said when met after a Harapan Youth press conference at Parti Amanah Negara's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

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 claimed the former prime minister fabricated 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.

After being released 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.

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