"Unless they push me to a corner, put a gun to my head, and say ‘You continue and finish your term!’, I will step down."

This was the statement made by Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Aug. 1 while speaking to reporters, The New Straits Times reported.

Mahathir reiterates agreement to hand over power to Anwar

Mahathir also stressed that he would hand over power to prime-minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysiakini reported Mahathir saying: "Well, I have already agreed that when I step down, he will take over from me as prime minister."

"That is a promise I made and I will stay with the promise."

Timing still vague

On the matter of timing, however, Mahathir was vague.

Elaborating that he will hand over power when the country is back on an even keel, Mahathir further said: "It may be two years, it may be three years, I don’t know."

Opposition members want Mahathir to serve full term

Mahathir also confirmed that he has met with members of the opposition who have expressed support for him to stay the full five years term.

Malaysiakini reported that the meeting occurred on July 30 and that it was supposedly instigated by Mahathir himself, according to Abang Johari Openg, the chairperson of opposition political party Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

The meeting consisted of members from the UMNO-PAS alliance and GPS.

Acknowledging their support, Mahathir said: "The meeting (did take place). I meet everyone, not just the opposition, but non-governmental organisations too."

"(If) they want to come see me, I (will) see them and hear what they want to say. They expressed (their) support for me, (so) thank you very much."

Previously on July 27, PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang had called for Mahathir to serve out the term in full.

He said that both PAS and UMNO will “defend” Mahathir’s premiership until the next election.

Azmin's support is "his opinion"

Such support is not just limited to the opposition.

On July 29, Malaysia’s Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali also declared that Mahathir must be allowed to serve his full term as Prime Minister.

Azmin had stressed that Mahathir's leadership was crucial in ensuring Malaysia's economic development.

Malaysiakini reported that Azmin also welcomed the support by Hadi and PAS for Mahathir.

When asked about Azmin's support for him to finish his full term, Mahathir replied, "That is his opinion."

What has been said about the handover of power so far:

Top image from Anwar Ibrahim Facebook