PAS logo practical for PN but risks losing non-Malay votes, say analysts

Analysts have cautioned that while PAS's logo is the most practical choice for Perikatan Nasional (PN) parties in the upcoming Melaka election if the coalition remains suspended, it may risk alienating non-Malay voters and those in mixed constituencies. Mazlan Ali, an expert from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, noted that PAS's logo is more recognizable than those of other component parties, but its use outside PAS's strongholds such as Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu could pose challenges.

In other states, PN has opted for the PN logo due to potential sensitivity, as PAS is viewed as extreme. Furthermore, non-Malays associate PAS with Islam, raising questions about whether Gerakan or Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) candidates should contest under the PAS logo, potentially giving the impression of strong alignment with PAS's agenda.

Mazlan emphasized that while PAS's logo is currently the most recognizable, it carries several drawbacks. He commented on Gerakan president Dominic Lau's call for PN component parties to use a single symbol in Melaka polls if the coalition's suspension by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) remains unresolved. Lau dismissed suggestions that any component party should contest under another logo, pointing out that Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed openness to discussing the possibility of PAS using BN's dancing symbol.

However, Mazlan noted that contesting under the BN logo could raise concerns about PAS's ties with other PN parties and affect nominations, as Zahid would need to sign the candidates' appointment letters. Universiti Utara Malaysia's Afifi Abdul Razak agreed that PAS's logo could be the most logical choice in Malay-majority constituencies if PN remains suspended.

Afifi suggested that Gerakan's logo might be more suitable in mixed or non-Malay constituencies, although the party's machinery and recognition level would need to be considered. Other parties like Wawasan are still unfamiliar to Melaka voters, while Pejuang and MIPP are smaller and less known. Afifi concluded that if absolute uniformity were required, PAS would offer the highest value in terms of votes, although it does not fulfill the need for a widely accepted national symbol.