PN dodges backlash by using Putrajaya’s National Day theme, says analyst

 

The PN-led state governments of Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis will adopt the federal government’s Merdeka Day theme and logo despite misgivings about their political overtones.

PETALING JAYA: The four Perikatan Nasional-led state governments have made the right decision by agreeing to adopt Putrajaya’s National Day theme, a political analyst said.

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said using a separate theme for the National Day celebrations would have backfired on the coalition, which would have been accused of exploiting the matter for political gain and promoting disunity.

“If they feel (the logo and theme are) not suitable and decide to go with their own, that’s their right to do so, but the people would have felt that they are politicising the matter.

“Secondly, the people would have seen them as not moving forward post-election when it is time to work together to build the country,” Awang Azman told FMT.

He said the move by the Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis state governments to adopt the federal government’s theme signified PN’s willingness to put politics aside and promote unity in conjunction with National Day.

He also said the state governments could adjust the theme slightly to cater to local sentiments and the needs of the respective states.

On Aug 19, PN Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari had proposed “Teguh Muafakat Malaysia Sejahtera” as an alternative theme after claiming that the unity government’s choice of “Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan” had political overtones.

He said the government should have chosen a more neutral theme.

A similar dispute arose in 2012 when Pakatan Rakyat refused to adopt “Merdeka 55: 1Malaysia, Janji Ditepati”, the theme coined by Najib Razak’s government. Instead, the then opposition coalition adopted its own theme of “Sebangsa, Senegara, Sejiwa”.

Meanwhile, Lau Zhe Wei of the International Islamic University of Malaysia said many Malaysians, regardless of their political affiliation, were likely to have been surprised by Pakatan Harapan’s refusal to entertain PN’s proposal for the National Day theme.

He said it would be hypocritical for PH to criticise PN’s proposal given its own stand when it was in the opposition.

On Aug 21, communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil urged all state governments to use the federal government’s theme and logo, saying the Merdeka celebrations should not be politicised.

Despite misgivings about the choice of the theme, Lau said the majority of the people wanted to see PN put politics aside, as National Day was an occasion for all Malaysians.

“Having a single theme is definitely much better,” he said. - FMT