It appears that the Selangor government’s ban on the 1Malaysia logo from advertising materials such as buntings, banners and billboards is not been enforced in a uniform manner.

NONE Thus far, it has been confirmed that seven local authorities - the municipal councils of Kuala Langat, Sabak Bernam, Ampang Jaya, Selayang, Klang, Kuala Selangor and Subang Jaya - have enforced the ban.

Three others - Shah Alam, Kajang and Hulu Selangor - have yet to do so. The status of the ban for Petaling Jaya and Sepang has yet to be confirmed at the time of writing.

The local authorities that did receive the order said instructions came several months ago, but the date of implementation varied. Some local authorities said it was in force six months ago, while one said it only came into force only four weeks ago.

Sabak Bernam District Council (MDSB) licensing department officer Norzita Sobari said that the state government’s order was issued in June.

NONE The order stated that the any advertising material that featured the 1Malaysia logo should not receive approval.

“Though (Sabak Bernam) is a BN stronghold, we have to reject every application that contains the logo,” she said.

Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) licensing department officer Mansor Mohd Talib said applications said the state government’s instructions came into force last month.

“Some applicants who already printed out their banners were annoyed, but this is the new law,” he said.

Some did not receive order

However, some local authorities claim that they did not receive any such instructions from the state. Members of the Shah Alam City Council and Klang Municipal Council told Malaysiakini that no such instructions were received.

NONE This was echoed by Hulu Selangor District Council licensing department director Roshaliza Ariffin.

“I am still waiting for instruction from my council president,” she said, adding that her officers have not removed any billboards with the 1Malaysia logo.

According to Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu, whose portfolio includes local governments, 1Malaysia was regarded as a political message and thus contravenes by-laws for the state’s 12 local authorities.

"You don't see any billboard in Selangor carrying the PKR, PAS and DAP logos," Liu told Star .

The move to ban the 1Malaysia logo has received heavy criticism from BN leaders who claim that the Pakatan administration was “ scared ” because 1Malaysia was gaining popularity.

Selangor menteri besar’s political secretary Faekah Hussin ( above ) today responded that the ban was a “ political decision ” to prevent the slogan from being used to cover up BN’s wrongdoings.

Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim is currently overseas and is expected to issue an official statement after chairing the exco meeting next Wednesday.