Ramasamy slams PKR for opting to use own logo in Johor polls
(FMT) – DAP leader P Ramasamy has criticised PKR for its decision to use its own logo instead of that of Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the upcoming Johor elections.
The Penang deputy chief minister said it was wrong and superficial for some PKR leaders to think that the source of their problems was in the use of the coalition’s logo.
“It is more about the calibre of leadership and public support,” he said in a statement today.
“Placing undue weight on a logo might be counterproductive as the real issues that might affect the performance of the parties might be pushed to the background,” he said.
Ramasamy said a logo might have some impact but must be seen in relation to the choice of candidates, political leadership and issues at hand as well as how the general public viewed the parties generally.
He also questioned how PH as a whole could face Umno or Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next general election if PKR could not even use the coalition’s logo in a state election.
“If PKR does not trust the coalition’s logo, then what is the point of having the coalition in the first place?
“The problem is not the logo. The leadership was used and manipulated by none other than former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.”
He said PH’s leadership must take the blame for their “close and parasitic” relationship with Mahathir, adding that this was the reason for the downfall of PH, not the use of a logo.
“Why should PKR leaders blame the logo instead of taking the blame themselves?”
He said abandoning the common logo did not augur well for alternative politics in the country.
“It is not just about moving from one logo to another and back, it is about Malaysians having faith in PH, as symbolised by the logo,” he said.
Yesterday, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said the PH presidential council had agreed to allow PKR to use its own logo in the Johor elections while Amanah and DAP would contest under the PH banner.
PKR strategic director Sim Tze Tzin said this was an important decision, adding that he had “first-hand experience” from PKR’s wipeout in the Melaka polls.
