Pn On The Losing End If Pas Uses Own Logo Says Analyst

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Two political analysts say that the year-old PN cannot match the strength and 60-year history of the PAS brand.PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional (PN) parties, particularly Bersatu and Gerakan, will be on the losing end should their coalition ally PAS decide to contest the Melaka state elections using its own logo, says a Singapore-based analyst.
Oh Ei Sun.Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said PAS is strongest when it uses its own logo because of its association with the party’s long political struggles, whereas PN has few supporters.
Another analyst, Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia, said he believed that PAS would use its own logo to keep up the strength of its brand rather than dilute it under the PN banner.
Oh said PN would need PAS under its banner to give it credibility. Should PAS use its own logo, PN will not be able to ride on PAS’ grassroots and machinery,” placing Bersatu and Gerakan at a disadvantage as the election machinery of the two parties machinery pales in comparison to that of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.
He said Umno would also prefer that PAS uses its own logo as it would give the impression that the party was not part of PN.
Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.Oh’s remarks come in the wake of a report of unease within PAS over a decision to sanction the use of PN’s logo by PAS candidates in the Melaka elections.
Ahmad Fauzi said PN’s year-old brand was relatively unknown and could not match the 60-year history and strength of the PAS brand, which has a loyal following. “Even election defeats do not erode the supporters’ faith in the party,” he said, whereas PN is “merely a makeshift coalition made up of mainly ex-Umno and ex-PKR rejects”.
He questioned what bound the coalition together. “What are the principles that tie them together, apart from a hazy notion of Ketuanan Melayu and pragmatism in preventing another PH government from taking place?” he said.
Fauzi said PN should allow PAS to use its logo, as the decision would show that the coalition tolerates diversity within its ranks.- FMT

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