PAS to Use Own Logo After Severing Ties with Bersatu in Johor Polls

Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) has formally severed its political alliance with Bersatu, the ruling coalition partner in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) bloc, and will contest the upcoming Johor state elections under its own logo and branding for the first time since 2018.

The move, announced by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, comes as the party seeks to rebuild its electoral strategy ahead of the polls, which are expected to be called within the next six months. According to The Star, PAS will no longer use Bersatu’s logo on campaign materials, a decision that underscores the party’s growing independence from its former ally. The break follows months of strained relations, including PAS’s criticism of Bersatu’s handling of internal party disputes and its perceived lack of commitment to Islamic governance principles.

Why is PAS abandoning Bersatu’s logo?

The decision stems from a broader realignment within PH, where PAS has increasingly distanced itself from Bersatu over ideological and operational differences. In a statement, PAS secretary-general Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad confirmed the party’s intention to “pursue its own vision and branding,” adding that it would “not be bound by any external political constraints.” This marks a significant shift from the 2018 general election, when PAS relied on Bersatu’s logo as part of the PH alliance.

What does this mean for Umno-PAS talks?

The logo change coincides with renewed discussions between PAS and United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the dominant party in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Malay Mail that talks with PAS remain “open and constructive,” focusing on non-political issues such as economic cooperation and social welfare. However, Umno’s deputy president, Khairuddin Abu Hassan, warned in Free Malaysia Today that PAS’s recent conduct—including its public criticism of Umno’s leadership—could undermine efforts to revive a formal political pact.

How will this affect the Johor elections?

PAS’s move signals a strategic pivot ahead of the Johor polls, where the party is eyeing a potential alliance with other opposition parties, including Umno, to challenge the ruling BN-led state government. According to Malaysiakini, PAS is actively exploring seat-sharing agreements and a broader political pact, though no formal deal has been announced. The party’s decision to contest independently—at least in branding—reflects its determination to project a distinct Islamic governance agenda, even as it engages with former rivals.

What’s next for PAS and Umno?

While PAS and Umno have indicated willingness to collaborate, their talks remain in early stages. Umno’s Zahid emphasized that discussions are “not yet at the stage of formal negotiations,” but PAS’s president Hadi Awang has urged Umno to “seize the opportunity” to revive their defunct political pact. The outcome of these talks could reshape Malaysia’s political landscape ahead of the Johor elections, with implications for the broader national coalition dynamics.

PAS’s break from Bersatu and its outreach to Umno highlight the fluid nature of Malaysia’s political alliances, where ideological shifts and electoral pragmatism continue to drive realignment. For now, the party’s next steps—and Umno’s response—will determine whether the Johor polls mark a turning point in the country’s political calculus.