On the ground: Loke (centre) meeting with SMK Dato’ Sheikh Ahmad principal Datin Ramadhawati Wahab in Seremban, while Parents and Teachers Association (PIBG) president Razal Mansor looks on. — Bernama
SEREMBAN: The call by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for no political party logos to be featured in government aid should be abided by everyone, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He added that if it involves government allocations, only the Jata Negara or the Coat of Arms of Malaysia is allowed.
“It has always been my practice to use replica cheques bearing only the Coat of Arms of Malaysia because it involves government allocations. The Prime Minister’s comment is appropriate and meant for all parties and ministers,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after handing over a cheque for RM324,668 as an allocation under Projek Mesra Rakyat (PMR) to the Parent-Teacher Association of SMK Dato’ Sheikh Ahmad here yesterday, reported Bernama.
Anwar had said on Friday that party logos should not be used on any form of government aid being presented to the people.
The Prime Minister’s comments came after DAP politician Nga Kor Ming was seen in several pictures handing over mock cheques bearing the logos of DAP, Pakatan Harapan and Malaysia Madani, as well as Malaysia’s coat of arms for school donations.
Nga later shrugged off the criticism and described the matter as a non-issue.
On the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections in Johor, Loke, who is DAP secretary-general, expressed confidence that Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional would retain both seats.
“These two are mixed seats and surely Pakatan has the edge. Furthermore, we are getting support from Johor Umno and Johor is Umno’s fortress. I’m confident that with Umno’s help, we can successfully defend the seats,” he said.
The two by-elections, which were triggered by the death of Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub on July 23, will see three-cornered fights involving Pakatan, Perikatan Nasional and independent candidates.
The Election Commission has fixed Sept 5 for early voting and Sept 9 for the two by-elections.
