KOTA KINABALU: Parties contesting under their own logo despite being in coalitions do not fit the purpose of unity and a single strong front, says Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
The Parti Bersatu Sabah information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said doing so defeats the point.
“Where is the unity? We want to show we are united and have a united front, and that is most important,” said Bangkuai, who is also the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) information chief
“When we start contesting on our own, I do not think it fits the purpose of bringing everyone together,” he added.
He was responding to questions about Sabah Pakatan Harapan parties such as Upko wanting to use their own logos.
Bangkuai said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and its partners Pakatan want to emulate Sarawak’s GPS, so there is no reason to use separate party logos.
He said GPS contested under one common logo and, if Sabah wants to follow suit, coalitions should contest under one logo, namely Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, as agreed.
He said each party must explain to voters and grassroots why using one logo is important.
They should recognise the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah logo rather than, for example, the Parti Bersatu Sabah flag when voting.
Asked if some Pakatan component parties using their own logo would weaken Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Bangkuai declined to say how Pakatan should handle it.
“For Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, we were firm,” he said.
“When SAPP or Sabah STAR wanted to use their own logos, the best option was to let them leave,” he added.
He said that was how SAPP and Sabah STAR decided to leave, and Pakatan may wish to take note.
“The firmness of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah is this; if you want to contest under your own logo, you have to leave,” he said.
“In the context of Upko, we leave it to Pakatan to decide,” he added.
“Whether it is allowed is for them to decide, and I am not suggesting anything,” he said.
The Kiulu incumbent said Sabahans want to see people of all races and faiths truly united.
“Gabungan Rakyat Sabah provides that platform, and Parti Bersatu Sabah will work to make Gabungan Rakyat Sabah a dominant force like GPS in Sarawak,” he said.
