Loke: Harapan ally should be pragmatic on modified logo

Loke: Harapan ally should be pragmatic on modified logo


DAP has cautioned a Pakatan Harapan ally that it was not pragmatic for the opposition coalition to adopt a "modified" common logo in the next general election, which may be called anytime soon.

In an interview with Malaysiakini and KiniTV yesterday, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke (above) said it's more important for Harapan to present a clear policy, direction, and leadership that would convince the public.

"In the last Harapan presidential council meeting, PKR requested some amendments to the design of the logo be made. We are still in the midst of discussion.

"For us, we can go with the current logo. The logo has been adopted and used in various by-elections and in the Malacca and Johor state elections.

"We actually won seats using the current Harapan logo - first in the Balakong by-election, won 10 seats in the Johor polls and four seats in the Malacca polls.

"The current logo has been registered and recognised by both the Election Commission (EC) and Registrar of Societies (ROS). So, the easier way for us is to adopt the common logo," he said.

"We try to impress upon our partner to be practical that we are running short of time because the election can happen at any time. Changing a logo is a major decision because you need to apply with the ROS and EC," added Loke.

"More importantly, it is substance over form. What is important is for us to have a clear policy, direction, and leadership in the coalition that can convince and give confidence to the public," he said.

"Of course, other coalition partners have different ideas and considerations, so we respect that view and concerns, and we try to accommodate them, but we have to look at the practical part of it," Loke said.

On Aug 25, Harapan leaders, including Loke, announced in a joint statement that the coalition would go to the polls using one logo, which will be the Harapan logo, but it would be redesigned to help project a new image.

Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim explained that the decision was made to present a more united front and would not symbolise the past.

The PKR president also said they took heed of the criticism they received from the previous state election in Johor, when PKR used its own logo while DAP and Amanah used the Harapan logo.

On that note, Loke reminded his Harapan ally that DAP made a sacrifice when it adopted the PKR logo instead of its rocket logo in the 2018 polls.

"Many of the grassroots members got upset that we did not use the rocket logo, which has been synonymous with our supporters all these years.

"But DAP adopted a big-picture approach and we want to achieve a coalition effect, so we look at how to unite all forces within the coalition.

"That's why we made some sacrifices to leave aside our logo and adopt a common one," he said.

In another development, Loke admitted Harapan did not organise sufficient joint activities ahead of the 15th general election.

"We do have joint activities at the Harapan leadership level where more frequent meetings are being held and a retreat will be held next week with all party leaders, and a joint programme in conjunction with Malaysia Day at Kuala Pilah on Sept 15.

"Yes, I do agree that in the election campaign, some sort of what we call a joint programme is lacking. So, I acknowledge this is probably our challenge and limitation within the coalition which must be strengthened," he said.

While Harapan contests as a team, individual parties also run election campaigns of their own.

Meanwhile, Loke reiterated that negotiations on seat allocation among Harapan parties for GE15 are expected to be concluded by the end of this month.

The former transport minister said he was informed that seat negotiations in two states have been completed and an announcement will be made later.

"Seat negotiations are progressing within four parties in Harapan. We hope to conclude it by end of this month.

"We are trying to settle as much as possible, but in any negotiation, there will definitely be some seats that will take a longer time to conclude. That's quite normal," he said.

Loke added that Harapan allies mainly negotiated on seats that were previously contested by Bersatu in 2018, and constituencies where they were defeated back then.

DAP is looking to reclaim the Alor Gajah and Tanjung Piai parliamentary seats, among other seats it had contested in the past but had given to Bersatu in 2018, he said.

The Alor Gajah seat is currently held by Bersatu's Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.

While Bersatu's Mohamed Farid Md Rafik won the Tanjung Piai seat in 2018, MCA captured it in a by-election three years ago after Farid passed away.

Loke said that Harapan will not field a candidate in Muar, which is currently held by Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, because this was not included in Harapan's seat negotiation.

Muar is among the 52 parliamentary seats contested by Bersatu in 2018 when the Umno's splinter party was still a Harapan ally.

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman


Loke, who will lead his party into a general election for the first time as secretary-general, said DAP’s target is to at least retain the 42 parliamentary seats it won in 2018.

He, however, admitted it was not an easy task as his party had identified five "grey seats" in Peninsular Malaysia, while Sarawak may pose a different challenge altogether.

"There are five challenging seats in Peninsular Malaysia. They are rural seats, mixed or slight Malay-majority seats, or seats with a strong BN presence previously. These are seats won by DAP for the first time.

"These seats are in Pahang and Johor," he said.

"There are different challenges (in Borneo regions), especially in Sarawak, where DAP will defend six incumbent seats.

"It is challenging due to different dynamics, in terms of clashing between GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) and local parties, especially Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB)," Loke said.

Loke concurred with party deputy secretary-general Liew Chin Tong that Harapan must strive to secure at least 80 out of 165 parliamentary seats in Peninsular Malaysia.

"In the previous three elections, that was the minimum seats we won since 2008. So, we have to at least protect the influence and strength there.

"Therefore, this is a reasonable target we have to achieve but we also hope to win more," he said.

"As political analysts predict that no single coalition can win the next election with a simple majority, for Harapan, we have to maximise our seats. It will be a different ball game when one can influence the formation of the government.

"This is a much different ball game as compared to only winning marginally by securing 50 to 60 seats, which means other coalitions could secure at least two-thirds majority parliamentary seats," he said.

"If Harapan has more than 80 seats in the peninsula alone, it means no other coalition can have a two-thirds majority. Then, it is anybody's game to secure 112 parliamentary seats to form the government," Loke said.

The opposition coalition won 80 seats in 2008 and 2013, respectively, and subsequently defeated BN in 2018 by securing 98 seats in the peninsula.

Loke again did not rule out that the federal government formed after the next election would remain a coalition government.

He, however, declined to elaborate on the possibility of Harapan forming a coalition government with BN.

"I wouldn't want to go into that issue right now. Whatever I say will be misinterpreted by supporters. I can only say that post-election is something we have to think about and cannot completely rule out."

Political landscape has changed

Loke said DAP will continue to engage the grassroots so they will have a better understanding of the political scenario.

"We will let them understand what the stakes are. Our first priority is to make sure we can defend our 42 seats and win at least 80 seats in the peninsular.

"The best scenario is that we go for a simple majority, but we have to be realistic also," he said.

Loke said Harapan is in a stronger position to retain power in Selangor and Penang.

"We are rather vulnerable in Negeri Sembilan, which we won marginally for the first time.

"But still, we have the advantage of having ruled the state for four years and we were able to carry out many initiatives and programmes.

"Hopefully, this will convince voters that we are actually a good government and deserve a second term," he said.

Asked if Loke will also defend the Chennah state seat held by him since 2013, he did not provide a direct answer.

"I would aim to defend the Seremban parliamentary seat, especially when there is a possibility of a strong challenge from Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin or any other Umno leader - if it claims the seat from MCA.

"There is more reason for me not to go to another seat because I need to face the challenge, in case Umno contests the seat. DAP leaders will not run away from any challenge from our opponents," he said.

Loke also said DAP has not made a final decision on its candidates.

"At this point in time, we are just considering various options. All options are on the table but no decision will be made because I will not call the candidature committee until Parliament is dissolved," he said.

The candidature committee is helmed by Loke, while other members include party chairperson Lim Guan Eng, deputy chairperson Gobind Singh Deo, vice-chairperson M Kulasegaran and DAP parliamentary leader Nga Kor Ming.