Logo polemics, 2023 National Day theme 'childish' - KJ

SHAH ALAM - The controversy surrounding the theme and slogan of the 2023 National Day between the government and the opposition is childish.

According to Former Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar this conflict is evidence of divisions in the country.

"This is yet another proof that our country is so divided that even the logo and theme for the month of independence becomes a controversy.

"For me, it's very childish, childish for both sides including the die-hard supporters of both sides," he said during the Program Keluar Sekejap podcast on YouTube today.

Khairy also raised the issue of the theme and logo of National Day that sparked controversy, which is not a new issue, but has been done before by the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government.

"In 2012, the theme for Merdeka 55 was introduced, which was 1Malaysia Janji Ditepati, and at that time, Pakatan Rakyat came up with the slogan Sebangsa, Senegara, Sejiwa.

"It started from there. I'm not trying to dig up old issues, even Pas was involved.

"Selangor also had its own theme and logo. Now, the ministers are saying that it's undermining the spirit of federalism - come on, you did the same thing before, so both sides are at fault," he said.

Khairy humorously mentioned that the National Day slogan in Malaysia is something very important.

"If there is no National Day slogan, there could be unrest.

"Use whatever the government has decided," he said.

Earlier this week, Perikatan Nasional Youth Chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari mentioned that Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, which are governed by the party, might use an alternative logo and theme recently launched by PN Youth.

The theme 'Teguh Muafakat Malaysia Sejahtera' (Steadfast Prosperous Malaysia) and a logo featuring elements of the hibiscus flower will be used.

The suggestion from PN Youth came after the introduction of the National Day theme by the government, which is 'Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan Penuhi Harapan' (Civilized Malaysia: Determination to Fulfill Aspirations), alleged to have repeated words that were used during political campaigns.

Therefore, the use of the alternative logo and theme arose when observing that the central government has politicised the National Day celebration, overtly mingling partisan politics.