Ilham Centre’s Hisommudin Bakar told FMT the Umno grassroots in Nibong Tebal had a favourable view of their party’s alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH).

He also noted that Nibong Tebal Umno chief Rashidi Zainol is already part of the state government, where he holds the role of trade and entrepreneurial development and rural development committee chairman.

He said these two factors would mitigate any unhappiness among Umno members over the decision to field a PKR candidate.

Sungai Bakap is one of three state constituencies in Nibong Tebal.

Hisommudin said demands by Umno grassroots for “one of their own” to contest the seat were normal.

“At the end of the day, Umno is aware that PKR has a better chance of winning the seat,” he said, adding that Barisan Nasional had lost to PKR in the three previous elections in 2008, 2013 and 2018.

Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow announced on Monday that PH and BN had agreed for a PKR candidate to be fielded in the by-election.

Ariff Aizuddin Azlan of Universiti Teknologi Mara said choosing a candidate from PKR was unlikely to have a negative effect on Umno’s campaign for support.

“The grassroots’ demand for a seat is unavoidable, but it won’t result in a massive sabotage by them,” he told FMT.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara agreed that Umno supporters were unlikely to spoil the unity government’s chances of winning by sitting out the election.

“I do not see Umno supporters sabotaging it,” he said.