SHAH ALAM: The action of several Umno representatives who want the party to use its own logo instead of the usual practise of contesting under the Barisan Nasional (BN) logo, in the Sungai Kandis state seat by-election is inappropriate.
Selangor Malaysian Council of Former Elected Representatives (Mubarak) president Tan Sri Abu Hassan Omar said he felt the matter must be given more careful thought.
Stating that Umno has been with BN for a long time, Abu Hassan reminded that this dated back to the time of the Perikatan Alliance.
“However, for Umno to create its own identity, I feel that opinions and concensus need to be obtained from our BN friends. It is inappropriate for us to do so,” he said when met at the Mubarak Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Section 13, here.
Also present was Selangor Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Johan Abdul Aziz.
Asked if the move to use Umno’s logo would cause non-Malay voters to sway their support from BN, Abu Hassan said it could possibly happen.
“The Sungai Kandis state constituency also has non-Malay voters and this includes the Chinese and Indians. Although 70 per cent of the constituents there are Malays, this does not mean that we should fully depend on Malay voters.
“This means if we use our own logo (Umno), what would the Chinese and Indian voters think? I am not discounting the huge possibility that they would not even come out to vote or will boycott (on polling day).
“Even if there are big problems in BN, Umno must continue to use the BN logo,” said Abu Hassan.
Asked on rumours of the possibility of cooperating with Pas in the by-election, Abu Hassan stressed that Umno must discuss this matter with BN component parties first.
“I feel that Umno must have a stance on whether it is still in BN or otherwise. If it (Umno) wants to work with other parties, they must seek the views from MCA, MIC and others because BN has been in existence for so long.
“The last general election has taught us (Umno) a lesson. It is not hard and impossible for us to revive Umno and bring it back to its original aim. Now is not the time to use our own logo (to contest),” he said.
Meanwhile, Johan said the Umno candidate who will stand in the Sungai Kandis by-election may be announced next week.
“We have sent several names to the party’s top leadership and it is up to them to make a decision,” he said.
