PKR's flag deserves an opportunity to go solo, Johor state chief defends move
Citing experience from Melaka polls, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh adds rural voters associated red Harapan flag with DAP
ZAMRI RAMBLI, KHAIRIL ANWAR MOHD AMIN and MOHD FAIZUL HAIKA MAT KHAZI SHAH ALAM
SHAH ALAM: As the battle in Johor polls heats up, PKR says contesting under its own logo was a tough decision but the party needs to be given an opportunity to woo voters under its logo.
Johor PKR chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said such move is crucial to lay out strategies, machinery and to showcase the significance of the logo.
He said during Melaka polls, the rural voters were familiar with PKR's logo. "They were under the impression that the red Harapan flag was DAP logo," he told in an exclusive interview with Sinar Daily.
He added that the choice of logo has an impact on voters. In GE14, PKR logo's saw the opposition winning over BN coalition for the first time since the country's independence. "We feel PKR's logo as an advantage and should be given an opportunity to contest under," he said.
Furthermore, as PKR, DAP and Amanah will be contesting at different seats, he said the ballot paper will only have either PKR or PH logo (consisting of DAP, Amanah).
On perceptions over DAP's control on PKR, he said no party is above the other in PH. "We will battle on the same principles, same manifesto, same political narrative. Just that this time we will contest under our own logo," he added.
The PKR Johor chief added they need to ensure the majority of voters come out to vote. "If we have 1,000 members in a polling zone, all the 1,000 voters need to come out to vote." As for fence-sitters, he claims they have strategies to win them over.
On the concept of having all opposition parties under an umbrella, he said is also difficult as some parties agree with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the government while others like Pejuang object.
PKR vs Muda
Syed Ibrahim said PKR had offered Semarang, Sri Medan and Tanjung Surat held last month. But Muda wanted urban seats in Gambir, Kempas and Larkin.
He said while he is impressed with his counterparts, DAP and Amanah for giving Muda their winnable seats, he said for PKR the scenario is different.
"We cannot be giving winnable seats just because they are cooperating with us. We need to see if Muda's candidate could win," he said.
He added: "PKR's grassroots feel Muda is not being a gentleman." He further advised grassroots that it will not benefit the opposition if the clashes between Muda and PKR continue.
As for their manifesto, he said it focuses on economic recovery, investments and housing. Since last year, he said there are 30,000 abandoned homes in the state due to Covid pandemic, causing foreign buyers from Hong Kong and Singapore to delay their purchase.
