Anthony Loke: No Mahathir images on Pakatan election posters

KUALA LUMPUR: Parties under Pakatan Harapan will not be able to display pictures of its prime minister designate Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in banners and posters for its campaigns in the general election, says Anthony Loke.
 
The DAP organising secretary said this was because Pakatan is not formally registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) as a coalition.
 
“So, the Pakatan chairman is banned from being displayed in election posters by the Election Commission,” he said to reporters after the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting in Parliament on Tuesday (April 3).
 
“This shouldn’t be banned. We want to campaign and we want to show our leaders. That is the right of the parties,” he added.
 
Loke said that the Opposition is only allowed to display pictures of its candidates in the polls.
 
Earlier this month, the Home Ministry said that ongoing investigations on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Pribumi) are holding up Pakatan’s registration as a formal coalition.
 
The Home Ministry was investigating the multiple complaints it received in order to ensure that Pribumi’s annual general meeting (AGM) last December was held in line with the party’s constitution.
 
At the press conference, Dr Mahathir, who is Pribumi chairman, said the party had already informed RoS that it did not have any branches, when quizzed by reporters.
 
“They know we don’t have branches. That's why did not have any branch members to take part in the AGM,” he said.
 
Dr Mahathir also appeared unfazed over prospects of Pribumi not being registered as a party by RoS.
 
“The registration is not coming but we don’t care. Whether it comes or not, we have our plans on how to conduct our party during the election.”
 
When quizzed about where the former premier would contest, he merely said “it’s a national secret”.
 
Dr Mahathir also said that Pakatan has not decided on its Mentri Besar candidate for Johor.
 
Speculation is rife that Pribumi deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is set to be placed as a candidate for the post should Pakatan manage to seize the state in the election.