The ban on the 1Malaysia logo by the Selangor government has drawn flak from the people, especially the business community, as the logo is hugely popular and accepted by all and sundry.
THE 1Malaysia concept came under attack again from the Opposition as the Pakatan Rakyat-ruled Selangor government banned the use of the 1Malaysia logo on business signs and billboards in the state.
Ronnie Liu, the controversial DAP exco for Housing and Local Government, said the logo was political and thus contravened local by-laws.
He argued that political symbols could not be used on billboard advertisements – a ruling that has sparked uproar among the local business community.
The controversial ruling is in keeping with Pakatan’s policy to criticise and condemn the 1Malaysia concept.
People from all walks of life are using the logo as a catch phrase and to attract public attention and to get business opportunities.
Indeed, the 1Malaysia symbol has gained much popularity among the people and gave political visibility for its creator – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak – and for his transformation programme.
The 1Malaysia concept, in its simplest form a policy to recognise, admire and respect the racial diversity in the country, has been under constant attack by the Opposition.
Since taking over as the Prime Minister in February 2009, Najib had initiated an action plan to restore confidence in the Government.
That overall plan is 1Malaysia – People First, Performance Now – and its success and acceptance is intertwined with the various ongoing political, social and economic transformation programmes.
The 1Malaysia concept and the various transformation programmes are Najib’s agenda to win back public confidence and eventually acceptance by voters at the next general election.
The Barisan Nasional faced a “do or die” battle for acceptance and understanding and political survival against the Pakatan.
If the concept is rejected, it could mean possible political oblivion, but if it was accepted by a majority of voters, it could mean a new lease of life for the battered coalition.
That’s why the Opposition has made it its mission to question, criticise and condemn the 1Malaysia platform.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his attempt to regain dwindling support for PKR, had attempted to link 1Malaysia with One Israel, a political coalition that Israel leader Ehud Barak had put together in 1999 to win and become Israeli Prime Minister in 1999.
Anwar had also tried to connect Apco Worldwide as the creator of both the One Israel and 1Malaysia concept, prompting a showdown in Parliament that had led to his and three others’ suspension.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has challenged Anwar to produce evidence to show the connection in the face of two letters, one a sworn statement from Apco senior officials that they have nothing to do with One Israel or 1Malaysia.
Najib on Wednesday declared that the 1Malaysia concept was his “own creation” to preserve and enhance national unity and to transform the Government.
In comparison, the 1Malaysia is not much different from DAP’s Malaysian Malaysia concept of a just and fair society based on egalitarianism and Rule of Law that the party had fought for.
Many DAP leaders had been ridiculed, criticised, condemned and even incarcerated for championing Malaysian Malaysia in the past but are now myopic about 1Malaysia’s increasing popularity.
1Malaysia is an ideal that society can strive towards.
It’s the “light at the end of the tunnel” and ideal that Malaysians can rally around and become a unified nation.
When they fight among themselves, the Americans throw in everything but they never forget that they are Americans.
Likewise, although Malaysians can disagree politically, they can be civil and remember that they are all Malaysians.
Banning the use of the 1Malaysia logo in Selangor is not only illogical and a burden for businessmen but it portrays that Pakatan is small-minded, vindictive and afraid that the Barisan is stealing a march over them.
