Question of Strategy: PKR to use its own logo again for GE15?
SHAH ALAM - Whether or not PKR uses its own logo or move forward with Pakatan Harapan's (PH) in the 15th General Election (GE15) was a non-issue, says PKR stalwart Wong Chen.
Acknowledging that signaling a united front was vital, he stated that there were also other ways to show parties or coalitions were united.
"It is not my decision to make (for PKR's flag to be used for GE15), but it is not a big issue.
"You can show you are united but have some diversity too.
"It is actually a strategic question - will using your own flag give you more or less votes?" he spoke to Sinar Daily recently.
PKR's move to use its own logo during the past state elections, namely Sarawak and Johor, warranted mixed reactions, with many arguing that it reflected internal conflicts within the PH coalition.
In the Sarawak state election in December, PKR fielded 28 candidates and failed to win a single seat out of the 82 up for grabs. The party had won three in the 2016 Sarawak polls.
More recently in Johor, PKR contested 20 seats and only managed to secure one seat in Bukit Batu represented by Arthur Chiong Sen Sern.
Wong, who is Subang Jaya MP, urged the media to look at the data from the Johor elections.
He said based on the party's observations, while using the PKR flag solo did not win them much seats, it did get them a lot more votes.
"It is more recognisable.
"I am not saying it's a 10 per cent increase but a clear 2-3 per cent, yes," he said.
PH insiders have voiced out concerns that PKR might insist on not only contesting with its own logo in GE15 but totally separating itself from the coalition.
One insider said DAP and Amanah were not ruling out the possibility that the new leadership post-PKR polls this month would take the plunge and contest all 222 parliamentary seats nationwide.
Without indicating a specific individual, another PH leader said he would not be surprised if PKR wanted to further "test the waters" and use GE15 to determine their strength among the people.
He said there was too much on the line to experiment right now for the people and country.
"We need to be united and sort things out, we should be united under the same logo, flag and symbol - whatever it takes," he added.
