Pakatan Harapan has invited public submissions for a common logo for the coalition, after receiving incessant brickbats over three proposed logos yesterday.

This comes after a public spat between two PKR leaders over the logos.

"After considering public feedback, and considering the views of Harapan leaders, we encourage submissions for proposed logo designs for Pakatan Harapan," it said in a statement.

Submissions can be sent to logo@pakatanharapan.my by 10am on May 9.

The guidelines Harapan listed for submission are:

  • The logo must have two colours, and be presented in a black and white variant for printing on ballot papers;
     
  • The logo must have an easily-recognisable symbol;
     
  • The logo rationale must include concepts of hope, democracy, justice, integrity and unity; and
     
  • The logo must be visible on a small scale (like on a shirt) and larger scale (like on a flag).

Submissions must be in outlined vector format using Adobe Illustrator or an equivalent programme.

"Please insert the name, identity card number and phone number of the designer," Harapan said.

Public PKR spat over logo

The three proposed logos, including one featuring a "thumbs up" symbol against vertical stripes, were widely condemned on the Internet and by artists after PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli put them up for votes on his Facebook page yesterday.

Rafizi later clarified that he did not design the logo and had insisted on publishing it on social media for feedback first.

He said the "thumbs up" logo was proposed by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), while the other PKR leaders created the other two proposals.

The other proposed logos are yellow and red background variants of the word "Harapan" in capital letters with what appears to be rays of light above it.

The issue has also led to a public spat within PKR, with political bureau member Latheefa Koya taking to Facebook over the matter.

"You have collected millions from the public and you dare come up with this awful looking design - the cheek! Putting it for people's vote? Embarassing!" she said.

Rafizi decries 'low blow'

Responding to Latheefa, Rafizi said the attack was a "low-blow".

"Just because you are not aligned with me, you should not give such connotations.

"Invoke raises money to do things for the people. We should be working for the betterment of the people, not training guns on each other," the PKR vice-president said.

Rafizi was referring to his NGO Invoke, where much of his political activities have centred since he quit as party secretary-general.

Yesterday, internationally renowned artist Yee I-Lann made a call for artists to help educate politicians on graphic design because the proposals "suck rotten eggs".

Graphic artist Fahmi Reza responded by proposing his own design - a red middle finger with seeming rays of light at the top, on a backrgound of red and white vertical stripes.

Harapan is hoping to register as a formal coalition with the Registrar of Societies so that it can campaign under one banner.

Harapan consists of PKR, DAP,  Parti Amanah Negara and Bersatu.