Use of BN logo may boost PAS, but analysts see risks for both sides

PAS and Barisan Nasional may both benefit from PAS using the coalition’s logo in Melaka, but three political analysts say the arrangement could lead to problems after the election.

Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said BN risks helping PAS build a stronger foothold in Melaka. “BN needs to be careful because this might lead to an easier win for PAS in certain seats in Melaka. Once PAS becomes much stronger in Melaka, it is not impossible to imagine PAS eventually overtaking BN,” she told FMT.

On Friday, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki confirmed that negotiations and discussions with PAS for the Melaka election were progressing well. This came as PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang reportedly said the party was prepared to consider using BN’s logo at the state polls.

However, Syaza said PAS was unlikely to agree to such an arrangement unless the negotiations resulted in it being allocated a sufficient number of seats, particularly winnable ones.

“If PAS does this without getting more than seven seats, or without being given some of the winnable seats, then its role would be like in Johor … merely supporting BN. Given its growing strength in Melaka, I don’t think that’s what PAS wants.”

Syaza said the negotiations could also raise questions about reciprocity between the two parties.

She said that if PAS was willing to contest under BN’s banner in Melaka, she questioned whether the negotiations would eventually lead to PAS allowing BN candidates to contest under the PAS banner in PAS-led states.

If the pact breaks down

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia questioned how such an arrangement would work if the relationship between PAS and BN broke down.

The arrangement could become complicated if PAS candidates contested under the BN logo and received their watikah (candidates’ appointment letter) from BN leadership.

“What happens if there is a crisis later? If they contested using BN’s logo and watikah, can PAS simply leave the arrangement?” he asked.

Another issue, he said, was how the arrangement would affect smaller Perikatan Nasional component parties such as Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party if BN chose to work directly with PAS.

BN could argue that it already had MCA and MIC representing its non-Malay component, he said.

“This is not really about whether they can win Melaka. BN may be capable of winning on its own. The problem is how this arrangement is going to be implemented,” he said.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said PAS could also weaken its bargaining position in seat negotiations with BN for the 16th general election. He said it made sense for PAS to contest under BN’s “dacing” logo, which was more recognisable and could appeal to voters who were less comfortable with PAS’ moon symbol.

However, he said this could become a liability for PAS after the Melaka election. “If Melaka PAS uses the BN logo, it would give ammunition to BN during seat negotiations after Melaka to say that BN is more influential than PAS,” he told FMT.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.