State polls: Grassroots might sabotage parachute candidates, say analysts

PETALING JAYA: Recruiting high-profile and popular “parachute candidates” instead of locals may be a good idea but there is still some risk of being sabotaged by grassroots party members, say political analysts.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Dr Mazlan Ali said that although there are advantages of fielding influential leaders, influencers or professional figures in elections, they might not have any political base in the particular constituency.

“The advantage for such a candidate is they will get support based on their popularity.

“However, the ‘parachute candidate’ might not be accepted by the local grassroots if the wrong strategy is used,” the political scientist said when contacted for his comment regarding such candidates.

In the coming six state elections, PKR was nominating the popular musician and rapper Altimet, whose real name is Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad, as the candidate for Lembah Jaya in Selangor.

In Kedah, Perikatan Nasional would be fielding former Harimau Malaya captain Baddrol Bakhtiar in Gurun and another ex-footballer, Radhi Mat Din, in Alor Mengkudu, both under the PAS ticket.

These so-called parachute candidates or “carpetbaggers” were candidates brought in by a political party from outside the constituency in question.

They are usually popular individuals in their own right but were not necessarily members of the party.

Mazlan said political parties must consider wisely if they want to place a carpetbagger, especially in certain sensitive areas.

“In Kelantan, for instance, PAS had fielded outsiders and professionals such as in the Kubang Kerian parliamentary seat and the candidate was fully accepted.

“However, in other places such as Terengganu, voters might prefer a local leader as their future YB,” he said.

Universiti Sains Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Azmil Mohd Tayeb said it all depends on the constituencies.

“Many in the rural areas and in Borneo prefer locally grown talent while urban voters want candidates with the right credentials.

“The advantage of fielding parachute candidates is that it can bring fresh views and a wider network to a particular area.

“Conversely, local leaders might feel marginalised by the decision and work to sabotage the campaign,” he opined.

Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Azmi Hassan said political parties must be clear on why they opt for a carpetbagger than a local.

“In the case of PKR, its strategy of putting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Tambun was a good move.

“Voters know that if Anwar won, he would be the prime minister,” he said, adding that it became an advantage for Pakatan Harapan.

Anwar, a former Permatang Pauh MP from Penang, contested and won a by-election for the Port Dickson parliamentary seat in 2018. In the 15th General Election last November, he triumphed in Tambun, Perak.

“But if you just do it to reward a certain leader who has been loyal to the party, for example, that will create turmoil within the constituency and the grassroots, especially for a party that has a well-defined hierarchy,” he said.