Penang Gerakan chief Oh Tong Keong has welcomed PAS‘s assurance that it will support Gerakan if the party decides to contest under its own logo in Penang instead of Perikatan Nasional’s (PN).
Oh said the proposal, which came from Gerakan’s youth and women’s wings during the state delegates’ conference last weekend, was still under consideration.
“This is the grassroots idea. The final decision will be made by Gerakan’s central leadership and discussed within PN,” he told reporters.
Oh also rejected suggestions that the debate reflected divisions in PN.
“Even if we use our own logo, we are still under PN. Although we may have different views from PAS and Bersatu, we have good ties with them,” he said.
He added that Gerakan’s long history in Penang was an asset for the party, especially among older voters who would recall that Gerakan led the state for 39 years between 1969 and 2008.
“Many older voters remember this (Gerakan) brand. That’s why some feel we should try (contesting under) the Gerakan logo again,” he said.
On Sunday, Penang Gerakan Youth chief Tan Zhen Zune urged the party to return to its own symbol in future elections.
Penang PAS information chief Fawwaz Jan then said his party supported the proposal, adding that the use of party logos had proven to be an effective “weapon” in several states in the 15th general election.
Gerakan lost all 19 seats it contested in the 2023 Penang state polls. PAS holds seven of the 11 opposition seats in Penang, the remainder of which are held by Bersatu.
