Muhyiddin: Bersatu to use own logo for Negeri Sembilan polls

Bersatu will field its candidates under the party’s logo in the Negeri Sembilan state election after talks on seat allocations within Perikatan Nasional stalled.

This came amid an alleged move by PAS to pursue political cooperation with BN.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin announced the decision during a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya following a supreme council meeting tonight.

“As the PN Seat Negotiation Committee meeting has been postponed indefinitely, and Bersatu has not been involved in any discussions on PN’s seat allocation, Bersatu will field its own candidates in the Negeri Sembilan state election.

“And all Bersatu candidates will contest using the Bersatu logo,” said Muhyiddin, who remains PN deputy chairperson after PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar took over the coalition’s leadership.

Asked whether Bersatu will reveal the party’s candidates tomorrow along with other PN components, Muhyiddin said a decision on the number of seats to be contested will be made tomorrow, followed by an expected announcement on Friday.

He also declined to confirm whether Bersatu will challenge PAS and Parti Wawasan Negara in seats not contested by BN, stating, “I can’t explain, because as I have said earlier, we were not involved in the discussions so we don’t know where they are standing.”

Blaming PAS

The PN Seat Negotiation Committee meeting, originally scheduled for July 12, was postponed indefinitely and Muhyiddin reiterated that his party had not been involved in any seat discussions following the postponement.

The Bersatu president blamed the impasse on PAS’ alleged decision to negotiate with BN without involving other PN members or obtaining approval from the coalition’s supreme council.

“Bersatu expresses its regret over PAS’ decision to negotiate with BN without involving all PN component parties and without the approval of the PN supreme council,” Muhyiddin said.

He also criticised PAS for making what he described as “unilateral decisions” that ran counter to PN’s interests.

According to Muhyiddin, the PN supreme council had never endorsed statements by PAS leaders calling for BN to be given victory in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.

He further took aim at Samsuri, stressing that “the failure of the PN chairperson to convene a supreme council meeting at this critical juncture contravenes the PN constitution”.

Other parties to use Bersatu logo?

Apart from Bersatu candidates running under their party banner, Muhyiddin revealed that Bersatu had received requests from several political parties seeking to contest under the Bersatu logo.

He said the supreme council had authorised him, as party president, to grant permission for candidates from other parties to use the logo.

Earlier, speculations over PAS’ covert negotiations were further fuelled after BN announced candidates in only 25 out of 36 seats.

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