PAS electoral identity and coalition status

Following the suspension of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition by the Registrar of Societies (RoS), PAS leaders addressed potential challenges regarding electoral identity for the upcoming Melaka state election.

Initially, PAS leadership indicated that the party was prepared to use its own crescent moon symbol if the PN logo remained unavailable, noting that the party’s identity is already well-recognized. Election director Sanusi Nor stated that the central working committee would meet to finalize a decision on logo usage.

By late September, the focus shifted toward political strategy. PAS Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man emphasized that establishing cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and PN must take precedence over the choice of logo. While PAS remains more comfortable using its own symbol, leadership expressed hope that the RoS would permit the use of the PN logo once the coalition provides necessary explanations to the regulator.

On September 29, PN Secretary-General Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed the coalition is seeking clarification from the RoS regarding the suspension, which became effective on September 23 following a complaint by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu). Takiyuddin noted that if the suspension persists, component parties could contest the Melaka election under the PAS banner, citing that using different logos is common practice.

However, Bersatu Chief Information Officer Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz accused PAS—which serves as the chair and administrator of PN—of using “delay tactics” to avoid explaining the matter to the RoS. Faisal argued that the coalition’s request for clarification on the complaint is unreasonable, noting that PN leaders had already been questioned by the RoS for four hours.