The proposal for Dr Mahathir Mohamad to become Pakatan Harapan's candidate for the interim prime minister is meant to attract Malay nationalists.

This is according to political analysts, who believe that the former prime minister will be able to attract significant numbers of traditional Umno and BN voters.

"Mahathir attracts a significant segment of voters who conventionally support Umno/BN only and would not support opposition unless there is some continuity.

"Mahathir is the continuity in change which may make regime change easier to accept for Malay nationalists, the deep state and the palace," said Penang Institute research fellow Wong Chin Huat (photo) to Malaysiakini today.

He also pointed out that BN's greatest electoral upsets have always been caused by an opposition led by a former Umno leader.

In the 1990 election, it was Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah leading Semangat 46 threatening Umno/BN, whereas, in 1999, 2008, and 2013 elections, it was jailed de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"This time, it has to be Mahathir.

"Ultimately, as in many party states, it will take an Umno to defeat Umno," Wong said.

Mahathir is also the least divisive political choice within Pakatan Harapan, he added.

Political analyst Maszlee Malik also said that it is a strategic move for Harapan to make Mahathir the interim prime minister if they were to capture Putrajaya.

This is because it will be able to garner Malay votes, especially amongst traditional Umno voters, he added.

However, Maszlee (photo) said that there are other factors involved in attracting Malay votes.

"Malays' fear of change need to be overcome since their votes will determine who will win the upcoming general election," he said.

To penetrate rural Malay votes

University of Tasmania's Asia Institute director James Chin said that naming Mahathir as the candidate for the interim prime minister was a "smart move".

"They are telling the Umno Malay voters, if you vote Pakatan Harapan, you get the original Umno and not Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's Umno," he said.

If making Mahathir the interim prime minister is meant to penetrate the rural Malay votes, Chin believes that it "might just work".

Many Harapan supporters also likely expect Mahathir to be a transitional figure until Anwar finishes his jail term, he added.

However, he said while Mahathir appeals to Malays over 40 years old, the younger Malays might not be as attracted to the nonagenarian.

"Younger Malays think the most qualified persons in Pakatan Harapan are Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali and PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

"If younger Malays were asked, I think they will not accept Mahathir and Harapan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (as interim deputy prime minister). They want younger people," he said.

It was reported yesterday that a proposal was made to name Mahathir and Wan Azizah as the interim prime minister and deputy prime minister if Harapan comes to power. 

However, the proposal will hinge on the approval of Harapan de facto leader Anwar.