BN's Lokman debuts 'designer' PAS-Umno shirt

Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam today arrived at the nomination centre for the Seri Setia by-election sporting a bright green and red shirt, which he said could well be the "uniform" of both parties should they choose to work side-by-side one day.

Created by designer Mega Mahir, the shirt was half-green and half-red, representing the official colours of PAS and Umno respectively. It also sported the logos of both parties. 

"There is no symbolism, I am wearing this as a sign of support for PAS...in the context that today PAS is cooperating with Umno, so this is an example of what our uniform could be one day," he told Malaysiakini when met outside the nomination hall at the Civic Centre in Petaling Jaya earlier today.

BN has stated it will sit out Seri Setia in appreciation for PAS' "sacrifice" in giving way for Umno to contest in the Sungai Kandis by-election.

PAS had stated it did not wish to split the votes against Harapan's candidate in Sungai Kandis.

Even so, PKR's Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni eventually ended up winning the seat.

Lokman (centre in photo), who was BN’s Sungai Kandis candidate, added that although he had yet to officially propose the design to Umno leadership, he had received positive feedback from others who have seen it.

"I am just trying to promote this design at this time, but so far feedback has been good and many even want to order it," he claimed.

Lokman was present to support PAS' candidate Dr Halimah Ali, who is the party's central committee member.

Also there in support of Halimah were Umno's Selangor division chairperson Ismail Sabri, Wanita chief Noraini Ahmad dan Youth exco Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo.

However, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said while certainly "creative", Lokman's shirt was not reflective of any official PAS-Umno cooperation as nothing had been decided yet.

"That's his creativity, but we have made no decision (on the relationship between the two parties). Perhaps in the future, more people will come forth with more designs.

"Perhaps he (Lokman) wants to contribute towards a union (of the parties), but that is his personal view, his initiative.

"However, today, we mostly say PAS clothes on PAS members and Umno's on Umno members, while it is only Lokman who is in a different garb, so it (Lokman’s shirt) does not represent the whole picture," Takiyuddin said.

Following today's nomination, it was announced that Halimah will face Harapan candidate Halimey Abu Bakar in the Selangor state seat poll.

This by-election will be held concurrently with Balakong’s, with polling day for both set on Sept 8, while early voting is on Sept 4.

MCA's Tan Chee Teong will take on Pakatan Harapan's Wong Siew Ki in Balakong.

The Balakong and Seri Setia state seats fell vacant upon the deaths of their incumbents on July 20 and Aug 2 respectively. - Mkini