Kuala lumpur: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) has decided to use its own logo for the candidates contesting in the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election. The announcement was made by the party's president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who highlighted the strategic move as a response to PAS' collaboration with Barisan Nasional (BN) and BERSATU's exclusion from seat allocation talks within Perikatan Nasional (PN).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Muhyiddin emphasized the necessity for the Perikatan Nasional coalition's Supreme Council to deliberate on any policy or directional changes. However, the council has not yet convened, and the PN Seat Negotiation Committee meeting initially set for July 12 was postponed without rescheduling. This delay in finalizing seat allocations among the coalition's component parties has prompted BERSATU's decision.

Muhyiddin criticized the failure of the PN chairman to call a Supreme Council meeting, describing it as regrettable given the upcoming state election. He noted that it was contrary to the PN Constitution, highlighting the urgency of addressing the coalition's strategic direction.

Additionally, the BERSATU Supreme Leadership Council has granted Muhyiddin the authority to permit candidates from other parties to run under the BERSATU banner, subject to formal application and approval by the party's committee. This initiative requires interested parties to submit an official letter for consideration.

The finalization of BERSATU's candidate list for the Negeri Sembilan state election is expected tomorrow, with an official announcement set for Friday. When questioned about whether using its own symbol indicates BERSATU's departure from PN, Muhyiddin clarified that the party's status within the coalition will be re-evaluated post-election.

Last week, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed ongoing discussions with Barisan Nasional (BN) regarding the upcoming state election, noting positive progress in talks between the two parties.