Sabah parties in a tussle over using one or more logos
A BURNING question among Sabah parties on both sides of the divide is whether they can agree on using a common logo in the upcoming state elections.
The incumbent ruling Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) Plus coalition is “coaxing” its partners to use its “lepa lepa” (indigenous ship) symbol for all its candidates from Upko, DAP and PKR.
Meanwhile, the main state opposition parties – three-party Barisan Nasional, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Sabah STAR and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) – are looking at using the more familiar “dacing”, as the Barisan’s scale symbol is called.
There have been calls from many of these parties for one symbol to be used by their respective alliances.
Some have noted that a single symbol would provide a collective focus to their respective stands.
On the Warisan Plus side, its partner Upko indicated that they were keen to contest on their own symbol, while local Sabah PKR and Sabah DAP were keeping their options open.
For the opposition, PBS has said it will use its own handshake symbol, while Sabah Barisan under Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin is asking other partners to use one logo.
Analysts are divided over the use of a single logo. Some noted that using different symbols in different constituencies could be a strategic move, while others are saying a single logo may provide some clarity to voters when casting their ballots.
Merdeka Centre programme director Ibrahim Suffian said the popularity of logos is subjective to the constituents, as some parties were formed to contest in specific areas and had achieved brand recognition from their respective audiences.
“Perhaps the Warisan logo is better accepted as it is a Sabah-based party and clearly identifies with Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
“However, there are voters who are more familiar with the DAP or PKR logo in different parts of the state,” he said.
Ibrahim added that the PBS’ handshake symbol might serve as an advantage as it is recognised by older voters in Sabah.
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said it was inevitable that contesting parties would prefer to use their own logo, thus potentially causing confusion among voters.
He added that many candidates and independents are expected to join the fray.
“Nevertheless, this is also a political reality that each party will have to grapple with as they jostle for winnable seats to contest, with the ardent hope of having a seat at the winners’ table to negotiate the political spoils.
“It is therefore doubly important for both sides to clearly identify and introduce their component parties’ logos in prominent slates to the voters,” he said.
Oh also said the popularity of PKR, Warisan and DAP’s respective logos would differ according to different constituencies.
“For urban Chinese constituencies, the rocket trumps all. For the coastal areas, the sailing ship (Warisan) and for the interior, perhaps the blue eye (PKR).
“In some constituencies, one logo is more prominent than the others. We are not talking about acceptability here, just popularity,” Oh added.
Universiti Malaya political analyst Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the insistence by parties from both sides of the political divide to use their own logo was an attempt to prove their party’s strength to grassroots members.
“The use of a single logo can unite them to face a common enemy but in their respective context, all of them said their own logo has more impact on voters,” he said.
He also said the rise in tribal and ethnic politics was a factor that made PBS and Upko decide to use their own logo.
“As the world globalises, ethnic and tribal sentiments are becoming stronger even though Upko hasn’t used its logo since 1994,” Prof Awang Azman added.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Jeniri Amir said the most important issue that political parties should resolve now isn’t about the logos, but their ability to compromise on seat allocation.
“Sabah is a very big and complex state. To come up with a common logo in such a short span of time is not that easy as a lot of complexities are involved.
“To me, what matters is the ability to come up with a united front and good manifesto, and to convince the people that they are political entities that can be depended on,” he said.
Sabah will hold its 16th state elections on Sept 26, while nominations have been set for Sept 12.