The Graphic Design Association of Malaysia (wREGA) plans to lobby the government to push for the Merdeka Day logo to be changed.


 In a posting on their
 
 Facebook
 
 this week, wREGA president Zachary Ong said he was &ldquo;appalled by the poor quality in creativity, skill, execution and rationale&rdquo; of the logo for this year&rsquo;s independence celebrations.


 <img align="right" alt="NONE" height="206" src="http://mk-cdn.mkini.net/504/8e1140fc27b14bc613a35066a164ed19.jpg" width="238"/>
 &ldquo;We believe it does not do justice to represent the real virtues, principles and spirit of independence of our country.


 &ldquo;We are genuinely and deeply concerned that the quality of good graphic design of this country is deteriorating,&rdquo; said Ong in the posting.


 He added that the association is &ldquo;taking the necessary actions to speak to relevant parties to seek understanding and work out a solution&rdquo;.


 This week netizens, in particular graphic designers, were up in arms over the logo, that DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang said would make Malaysia &ldquo;
 <a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/204720" target="_blank">
 
 a laughing stock
 
 </a>
 &rdquo;.


 The uproar sparked parodies and jokes, and local designers even set up an
 <a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/204703" target="_blank">
 
 online competition
 
 </a>
 to come up with their own versions of how the logo ought to look like.


 Even Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin agreed that the official logo was &ldquo;aesthetically challenged&rdquo;.


 
 
 Ministry takes note
 
 


 Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim however
 <a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/204849" target="_blank">
 
 defended the logo
 
 </a>
 as an original work and &ldquo;not plagiarised&rdquo;, blaming the criticism as &ldquo;political&rdquo;.


 <img align="left" alt="NONE" height="172" src="http://mk-cdn.mkini.net/504/0a40d4ea31b42065d1d9b90476068882.jpg" width="300"/>
 The ministry has however posted on its
 
 Facebook
 
 that it is looking into the public&rsquo;s comments on the Merdeka Day theme and logo.


 &ldquo;Thanks for various comments and views that have been given on the theme and logo of the 55th Merdeka Day celebrations.


 &ldquo;The ministry&rsquo;s administration has taken note of these and will further inform the public about the matter,&rdquo; it said.


 The government's 55th Merdeka celebrations is not going smoothly, as its theme first caused
 <a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/204686" target="_blank">
 
 all-round consternation
 
 </a>
 for using BN's slogan '
 
 Janji ditepati
 
 '.


 Besides the ruckus over the infantile logo, the
 <a href="http://office.malaysiakini.com/news/204845" target="_blank">
 
 theme song
 
 </a>
 has also been slammed as "vulgar propaganda".

<img align="left" alt="NONE" height="64" src="http://mk-cdn.mkini.net/503/864c6225843fbdc9fa6c251e9060bfc0.jpg" width="64"/>
The Graphic Design Association hopes that the gov't will change the logo as it reflects badly on the country&rsquo;s image.

Design professionals find Merdeka logo appalling

~RM12

ABOUT

DIGITAL NETWORK

TERMS OF USE

GENERAL LINE

SUBSCRIPTION / TECH SUPPORT

EDITORIAL

LOCATION

RSS FEEDS