Kedah is the latest opposition-led state to agree to use Putrajaya’s logo and theme after Terengganu and Kelantan following calls for Perikatan Nasional state governments to come up with their own version.

“We are following the federal government, just like Terengganu. We have no issue with having the logo and theme because it is a nationwide celebration,” Berita Harian quoted Sanusi as saying.

The federal government announced in May that this year’s National Day theme would be “Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan”, with the Malaysia Madani logo.

“They can use whatever theme they like as long as it is patriotic because, as in the past, it would soon be forgotten,” he was quoted as saying.

Last Saturday, Perikatan Nasional Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari proposed an alternative theme for Perikataan Nasional-controlled Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

He suggested the theme “Teguh Muafakat Malaysia Sejahtera” and a logo resembling the hibiscus, the national flower.

The proposal drew criticism from the government and NGOs, which said it would only cause disunity and that it went against the principles of federalism.

PAS-led Perlis has also decided to follow suit, with menteri besar Shukri Ramli announcing today that the state government will use Putrajaya’s theme and logo for National Day, reported Bernama.

Earlier, it was reported that Perlis had decided to use the federal theme, but not the logo because it contains the words “Malaysia Madani”.

Malaysia Madani is the motto of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government, which has been applied to its policies, statements and stationery.