Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will take legal action against Bersatu Blackout should the splinter faction use its logo in the upcoming Slim by-election, which will take place next month.
Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said anyone who wishes to use the party’s logo must receive consent from the party’s president.
“Yesterday (Friday), the Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu) had announced that the party will give its full support to the BN candidate in the by-election.
“Bersatu will not contest in the Slim by-election. I just want to inform should that person use the party’s logo, I will take legal action against them,” he said.
Hamzah who is also the Home Minister told this after meeting Rela members from Larut, Matang and Selama at Dewan Semai Bakti in Felda Ijok today.
“I will take stern action not only against its leader but also its proposer and seconder. I will do it,” he threatened.
On June 17, party dissenters aligned with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Bersatu launched a blackout campaign on social media in an apparent protest against the leadership of party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Several party membership status had changed their respective profile pictures on social media to a Bersatu logo with the trademark red turned black.
A member of the splinter faction, Senator Marzuki Yahya was quoted by an online portal saying Bersatu Blackout would field a candidate to contest in the Slim by-election.
The seat fell vacant, following the death of the party’s incumbent assemblyman Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib due to a heart attack.
The Election Commission (EC) has set the by-election for the state seat in Perak to be held on Aug 29, with the nomination on Aug 15 and early voting is on Aug 25.
In the 14th General Election, Khusairi retained the state seat with a 2,183 majority in a three-cornered fight by defeating Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Mohd Amran Ibrahim, who contested under the PKR flag, and Muhammad Zulfadli Zainal of PAS.
The Slim state by-election is the 12th by-election held after 14th General Election. The previous 11 by-elections were held for Sungai Kandis state seat, Balakong state seat, Seri Setia state seat, Port Dickson parliamentary seat, Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat, Semenyih state seat, Rantau state seat, Sandakan parliamentary seat, Tanjung Piai parliamentary seat, Kimanis parliamentary seat and Chini state seat. – NST