Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) pro-tem committee member Akhramsyah Sanusi today defended the party's logo despite allegations of plagiarism.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today retweeted netizens' comparisons between Bersatu's logo and the 1998 Commonwealth Games and aesthetic centre Nexus Clinic logos.

"As Shakespeare wrote, 'What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet' - and so to it is with this logo.

"It is what we make it represent that matters more than what our rivals perceive it to be," Akramsyah said when contacted.

"To us it represents a party that is united, honest and dignified in championing a Malaysia that is free from corruption and with institutions reformed to deliver the promise of prosperity to all," he said.

Akramsyah also urged his former associates in Umno Youth to focus their energies on "substantial issues" like the identity of 'Malaysian Official 1', who he said had brought "shame" to Malaysia.

"In fact, I would be happy to debate on the matter of 'Malaysian Official 1', that is, if anyone in Umno Youth dares to debate on things more important than flowers," he said.

'Malaysian Official 1' is described in the United States Department of Justice lawsuits as a high ranking Malaysian government official who received US$731 million originating from 1MDB.

The Bersatu logo is of a five-petaled hibiscus against a red backdrop.

The 1998 Commonwealth Games logo is also of a hibiscus while Nexus Clinic's logo is akin to a four-leaf clover.

Retaining pribumi identity

The party has also received flak for accepting only bumiputera as members while non-bumiputera can join as associate members, with the possibility of being appointed to posts.

Commenting on this, Akhramsyah said the criticism is caused by "misunderstanding over the associate member role".

"We believe it is the best way to offer non-pribumi (native) a way to participate in the party whilst retaining the pribumi identity," he said.

He added he has personally received positive feedback on the decision to offer associate members status to the non-bumiputera.

"Those with an open mind will see the positives to this, and it's a free country so those who don't like it are free not to!" he told Malaysiakini.

The two-level membership has been slammed by MCA and MIC as non-progressive, despite both these parties restricting its membership to only ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian members respectively.

Condemned for allegedly abandoning his 'Bangsa Malaysia' ideals, Bersatu pro-tem committee member Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman yesterday said the party is not a "purely race-based" party but is a "compromise" model.

Akhramsyah also urged those interested to register as members to be patient pending the Registrar of Society's clearance.

He said membership registrations circulated online are unauthorised and advised against submitting personal data like addresses and identity card numbers.

"The party will make a formal announcement on registration only after the party's registration has been approved by the ROS," he said.

Pro-tem president Muhyiddin Yassin registered the party yesterday.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will act as the new party's chairperson.

His son Mukhriz, who is the former Kedah menteri besar, is vice-president while Gabungan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia president Kamarul Azman Habibur Rahman and former Langkawi Wanita Umno leader Anina Saadudin make up the central committee.