PETALING JAYA: With PKR deciding to use its own logo in the Johor state election while DAP and Parti Amanah Negara cling on to the Pakatan Harapan logo, there are now questions over just how united the coalition is.
Even DAP and Amanah leaders are disappointed, lamenting that the Pakatan logo could have presented a united front to voters.
“A common brand is vital in this uphill battle,” said Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
“It will help voters identify Amanah, DAP, PKR and Upko as allies in a crowded field of political coalitions and parties,” the duo said in a joint statement yesterday.
They argued that a common logo would have shown voters Pakatan’s seriousness in governing again.
They said Malaysia has always been governed by a coalition since independence.
“Umno continues to use the Barisan Nasional logo despite being the single dominant political party in that coalition,” they said.
“Swing voters generally respond positively to coalitions or parties which they think can win power and can work together despite differences.”
Lim and Mohamad said their parties would not abandon the Pakatan label as there are still three states under the coalition’s administration: Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan.
“Both Amanah and DAP will not abandon the coalition logo as it can be perceived as abandoning our efforts to regain Putrajaya,” the duo added.
PKR has decided not to use the Pakatan logo as its members feel the party logo is the more recognised one, while the Pakatan logo would remind voters of the coalition’s failed 22-month administration.
Lim and Mohamed differed.
“Both Amanah and DAP are of the opinion that political allies and coalition partners should stay together in good times, and bad times,” they said.
They explained that Pakatan had used only PKR’s logo in the 14th General Election in 2018 because of the difficulty in getting Pakatan registered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
The duo also pointed out that after Pakatan was registered by the ROS, even PKR president Anwar Ibrahim used its logo during the Port Dickson by-election.
“After we won the 2018 general election, Pakatan became a registered entity with an approved logo. Anwar adopted it successfully in the Port Dickson by-election in October 2018.”
The duo said that despite the differing views, Amanah and DAP would continue engaging PKR and other Opposition parties such as the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) to try and achieve a united front before the state election.
