PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli’s initiative to get ordinary people to stand on behalf of the party in the general election may draw the attention of fence-sitters and could improve the party’s image but it may not go down well internally, political observers said.

They said, while it may be viewed as a bold move by Rafizi, he has not considered all the possible outcomes.

Pundits also commented on Gerakan Tanah Air’s (GTA) move to name civil society groups and individuals as their election candidates, but noted the idea may only attract right-wing upper middle class Malays.

Last Thursday, Rafizi introduced calonkeadilan.org, where anyone from the public could nominate themselves to represent PKR at the next polls.

Individuals are asked to provide extensive personal data, including their occupation and income, academic qualifications, Facebook account, details of close relatives and even bank details, such as current loans and account numbers.

Applicants need only fulfil the usual conditions to become an election candidate in Malaysia, added to which they will have become PKR members.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said fence-sitters may fancy the idea and would consider voting for PKR, because Rafizi’s initiative is ostensibly open and transparent.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia added that Rafizi is not competing with Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s GTA, just giving the public more options.

“This is a good alternative for voters, especially fence-sitters. We know they are more open than party voters but the problem for Rafizi is that this may not go down well with party members,” Hisommudin said.

“How he keeps things harmonious within the party is something he has to think about, or maybe he already knows how to handle it.”

Meanwhile, Mazlan warned that Rafizi giving ordinary people the chance, over party members, to serve will not sit well within the party.

“Surely the young or first-time voters will be inclined to see what he has to offer and this will draw fence-sitters.

“Yet, GTA will not get the support from civil society groups because we know these groups are not right wing, they are open minded and will not fight for a certain race or religion.

“Those who tend to support the Malay agenda may vote for GTA but the segment is limited. Not all pro-Malay groups support Dr Mahathir, some are still pro-Umno and now some may also want Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu,” the academic said.

In early September, GTA submitted its application to be registered as a coalition with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

On August 4, Dr Mahathir announced the formation of GTA, comprising Malay-based parties, civil society groups, academics and professionals.

The movement includes his party Pejuang, Berjasa, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) and the National Indian Muslim Alliance Party (Iman).

Dr Mahathir, the Pejuang chairman, said the focus would be on winning in Malay-majority areas, targeting 120 parliamentary seats in peninsular Malaysia.

Yesterday, it was reported that GTA was planning to field former inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador as a potential candidate to compete against Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan in Rembau.

Risk of PKR revolt

Meanwhile, Iman Research programme director Badrul Hisyam Ismail said many PKR members, especially division leaders, may not like Rafizi’s idea.

He said the idea will attract fence-sitters but added Rafizi was acting against party norms.

“Will Rafizi’s idea succeed? We have to wait and see. Strategy wise, it may have a positive impact but at the same time, this is not how a party works.

“Party members and leaders may not like it because they have been doing the work on the ground.

“(If he is talking about) someone else contesting, how does he gain the trust of party members who worked hard?

“You work for the area that you represent. Fence-sitters may like it but the party faithful won’t.

“Look at the 2013 general election, PH won the popular vote but it didn’t become the government. Being popular alone won’t translate into victory,” he said.

As for GTA, Badrul said the group may receive support from ethno-centric Malays from the upper-middle-class constituents.

These groups, he said, are anti-Pakatan Harapan and its approach to a multiracial society but at the same time despise corruption.

“These people are ethno-nationalists who believed Malays and Muslims should be the majority in government. Groups such as Isma, Perkasa and Putra.

“They want a clean and transparent government but at the same time they want a Malay-led government,” he added. – October 19, 2022.