Putrajaya should use neutral themes for Merdeka to unite people, says Pas youth

SHAH ALAM - Perikatan Nasional (PN) youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has responded to criticisms thrown at him after announcing that four states under the administration of the party might use a different logo and theme for the National Day celebrations at the state level.

Through a Facebook post, he said if the government wants to unify the people in this country, they should choose a theme that is not too overtly political.

"We choose our own National Day theme and it said that we want conflict.

"Now, if the government launches a theme that is clearly political, 'Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan Penuhi Harapan' (Determined Unity, Fulfilled Hopes),' is that considered a unifying action?

"If they want to unite the people, they should choose a theme that carries a more subtle political undertone. Does the government really believe that it will be just this one time they will be celebrating August 31st as a government and therefore designed the theme as such?" he asked on Saturday.

In a recent press conference, Ahmad Fadhli also announced that Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu which are under the coalition might use an alternative logo and theme launched by PN Youth.

Meanwhile, in a video posted on Facebook, Ahmad Fadhli said the proposal by PN Youth on the use of an alternative logo and theme arose due to the federal government's politicisation of the National Day celebrations, which openly intertwined political party interests.

He said National Day theme contains words that were repeated during political campaigns.

"Even though those words are positive, they have been politicised within party political campaigns. Therefore, if the aim is to unite the people under one theme, they should choose a more neutral theme," he said.