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...