PH will gain by using BN logo in east coast, says analyst

The ‘dacing’ symbol of Barisan Nasional is viewed as being more acceptable to voters in Kelantan and Terengganu than Pakatan Harapan’s symbol. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Election candidates from Pakatan Harapan stand a better chance in Kelantan and Terengganu if they were to contest under the Barisan Nasional banner, says a political analyst.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said BN’s iconic “dacing” symbol was more acceptable to voters in the two states and would make a significant difference in attracting the Malay electorate.

“This is because PH is associated with DAP and there is a stigma surrounding that party among voters in those states. So, using the BN logo would make a lot of difference,” he told FMT.

Azmi said Umno was still capable of appealing to voters there, even though it had lost some prominent east coast leaders such as Mustapa Mohamed, Annuar Musa, Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz and Rosol Wahid.

The suggestion of PH contesting under BN’s logo was made on Thursday by Ketereh Amanah chief Che Ibrahim Mohamed. He said the PH symbol was not widely accepted in the two states, and the use of a single election symbol would demonstrate the unity and cooperation between the two coalitions.

Azmi said the recent squabble between two politicians from DAP and Umno gave Umno an advantage.

“Their bickering in public shows voters that Umno is willing to stand up to DAP despite both being partners in the unity government. It is a strategic move,” Azmi said.

The squabble was between Nur Jazlan Mohamed of Umno and Aziz Bari of DAP who had questioned Umno’s standing among the Malays after a strong showing by Perikatan Nasional in the 2022 general election

In response, Nur Jazlan, said Umno’s links to DAP in the unity government made it difficult for the party to regain Malay support.

Another political analyst, Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia, said the suggestion of PH using the BN logo was an idea worth trying as the Umno-led coalition had more cachet among voters in Kelantan and Terengganu than PH.

He added that BN and PAS have been tussling for Kelantan and Terengganu for decades. “BN’s logo certainly has a strong presence and attachment among the people in these Malay heartlands. Using the BN logo might make it palatable for those who don’t want to vote for PN-PAS,” he said.

Elections to the state assemblies of Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, and Terengganu are expected to be held in July. - FMT