Gobind: Prioritise common policy over logo

Pakatan Harapan and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) must prioritise their common policy framework before deciding on other matters such as a common logo, said DAP lawmaker Gobind Singh Deo.

The Puchong MP said that a common policy framework was more important because it would chart the coalition's direction for the next election and beyond.

"People need to be convinced that we are not just here to achieve a one off short term objective but that we are here to stay and that we can offer something better than what they (BN) currently have.

"Whether or not all parties can commit to an agreement and remain in a solid working relationship depends on this. So this must be our priority," added the DAP central executive committee member in a statement today.

Gobind said he recognised the immediate need to remove the "threats of a kleptocracy", but that alone was not enough to drive the opposition forward.

"We must be clear in what it is we want and what direction we will take in the event we succeed in defeating BN and we need to start making our position clear now in the run up to the coming election.

"Without this, a common logo and a coalition would lose its real significance and appeal as people may not be convinced of its viability in the long run," he added.

Gobind was referring to Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad's suggestion that Haparan and Bersatu must put their coalition first instead of thinking like individual parties and that a common logo would help display unity.

At a PKR function in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday night, Mahathir said this formula had worked well for BN and should be emulated by opposition parties.

However, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar believed that there was not enough time to introduce a new logo to voters ahead of the next election.

She added that previous attempts by the defunct Pakatan Rakyat coalition to introduce a common logo was stymied by the Registrar of Societies.- Mkini