KOTA BARU: Kelantan Umno has voiced strong criticism over Bersatu opting to use the Pas logo in the upcoming Nenggiri by-election.
Its information chief Datuk Zawawi Othman said this decision reflected a lack of confidence within Bersatu and its leadership.
"Bersatu's choice to use the Pas logo for its candidate in the Aug 17 by-election suggests that the party, especially its president, is uncertain about its chances of winning the seat," he said.
"It appears that Bersatu is merely a 'paper flower' party, lacking genuine strength."
Zawawi said that it would be more appropriate for Pas to contest the seat directly rather than Bersatu using the Pas logo.
This controversy arose after Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu's president, hinted at the possibility of using the Pas logo for the Nenggiri state seat by-election.
The Perikatan Nasional chairman also called on party leaders and members to support their candidate, even if they contested under the Pas logo.
Despite this, Muhyiddin expressed confidence that Bersatu would emerge victorious in Nenggiri.
The Nenggiri by-election was called following the declaration by Kelantan state Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah that the seat, previously held by Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, was vacant.
Mohd Azizi, who is also the Gua Musang MP, was among seven representatives expelled from Bersatu for supporting the unity government.
In the Kelantan state election last August, Mohd Azizi won the Nenggiri seat with a slim majority of 810 votes against a Barisan Nasional candidate.
Recently, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man confirmed that Bersatu would field a candidate for Nenggiri, but under the Pas banner.