Bersatu faces a challenging contest as it prepares to use its own logo in an election for the first time, although analysts believe the move could help the party reduce perceptions that it is overly dependent on PAS.
Universiti Malaya analyst Tawfik Yaakub said the decision may limit Bersatu’s prospects in the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan state election but could strengthen the party’s identity over the longer term.
He said contesting under its own logo could help Bersatu distance itself from PAS while creating opportunities to attract moderate and non-Malay voters.
However, he added that a new logo alone would not be enough without more inclusive candidates, policies and campaign messaging.
Party seeks to build its own identity
Tawfik also noted that Negeri Sembilan has not traditionally been a stronghold for Bersatu, which won only the Labu and Gemas seats in the 2023 state election.
Since then, Gemas incumbent Ridzuan Ahmad has left Bersatu and has been named as a Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate representing Parti Wawasan Negara, while former Negeri Sembilan opposition leader Hanifah Abu Baker will defend the Labu seat.
On Wednesday, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the party would contest the Negeri Sembilan election under its own logo after expressing frustration and disappointment over PAS’s cooperation with Barisan Nasional through PN.
Since its formation 10 years ago, Bersatu has never contested a general election, state election or by-election using its own logo.
In the 14th general election, Bersatu candidates, including founder Mahathir Mohamad, contested under PKR’s logo. The party later used the Pakatan Harapan logo in the Semenyih and Tanjung Piai by-elections before contesting under the PN logo in the 15th general election and subsequent by-elections.
Strategy brings opportunities and risks
Global Asia Consulting analyst Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri said the move reflected Bersatu’s attempt to break away from PAS’s dominant narrative and broaden its appeal among urban, middle-class and non-Malay voters.
However, he cautioned that Bersatu still faced challenges involving election machinery, financial resources and grassroots support.
He said while using its own logo could provide a short-term advantage, the party would need to build a broader and more competitive coalition ahead of the 16th general election and future state elections.
Meanwhile, Akademi Nusantara analyst Azmi Hassan said contesting under its own logo would give Bersatu greater flexibility in determining the number of seats it wishes to contest.
He said the party would no longer be restricted by seat allocations under the PN banner.
