PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Youth information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has refuted claims that he was politicising the National Day logo and theme.
The PAS Youth head blamed the Federal Government instead for politicising the matter.
“It is the Federal Government which used the words ‘Madani’, ‘Perpaduan’ and ‘Harapan’ in its theme. These are words the ruling parties used during campaigning for the recent state polls and have political connotations.
“Why did they not use words that are more neutral? Our theme does not use the words ‘Bersih and Stabil’, as these were words we used during our political campaign,” said Ahmad Fadhli.
The Pasir Mas MP said this in a TikTok video today (Aug 20), fending off those who said he was "divisive", "politicising" and "a mad man" for unveiling an alternative Perikatan National Day logo and theme to the one already launched by the Federal Government.
On the decision by the Terengganu government to use the Federal Government’s logo and theme for its National Day celebrations, Ahmad Fadhli said it was merely a proposal on his part for the states under Perikatan rule to use the alternative logo and theme.
He said it was entirely up to Perikatan states to make that decision.
Terengganu had earlier decided that it will use the Federal Government's National Day logo and theme while the other three states have yet to make their decision.
Yesterday (Aug 19), Perikatan Youth launched its own National Day logo and theme as it believes that the federal logo is not inclusive enough.
It suggested the four Perikatan states - Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis - use the alternative logo and theme for state celebrations.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang had said that the Madani concept in the logo and theme of the National Day campaign by the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did not explain which “Madani” it is.
He said there were many parties manning Putrajaya with “different ideologies”.
Ahmad Fadhli has come under fire from ministers for his proposal.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil had called for an investigation into the different logo and theme, calling it divisive.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi regarded the suggestion of an alternative logo as akin to politicising and the work of "a mad man".