Bersama skips N Sembilan polls citing tougher terrain, focusing on Malacca instead

 

Parti Bersama Malaysia has announced that it will sit out the Negeri Sembilan state election, opting instead to focus its resources on the Malacca polls expected to be held later this year.

The party said its decision was based on strategic considerations, including the more intense contest between Pakatan Harapan and BN in Negeri Sembilan, as well as other political issues linked to the state election.

"First, the contest between Harapan and BN is expected to be more intense in Negeri Sembilan, including due to Harapan being the state government.

"Second, the outcome of the Negeri Sembilan state election could potentially have implications for other issues intertwined with the political contest, including the conflict involving the Yang di-Pertuan Besar’s throne," the party's leaders Rafizi Ramli, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and president Syukri Razab said in a joint statement today.

Prepping early for Malacca polls

The trio said it would be more strategic for Bersama to concentrate on the Malacca election.

The party will hold an early preparation meeting for the Malacca polls on July 21 to identify seats and begin screening candidates, so they can be announced earlier.

"A thank-you event for Bersama volunteers who served during the Johor state election, with the attendance of Johor candidates, will also be held at the Bersama headquarters on Sunday night," the statement read.

Bersama leaders Rafizi Ramli (left) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad

In the recently concluded Johor election, Bersama's first electoral outing following its rebrand under former ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi, failed to make a significant impact.

However, the party’s participation did affect the outcome in several closely contested seats.

In Perling, Bersama garnered enough votes that could have helped Harapan secure a narrow victory, while in Bukit Batu, it may have contributed to Harapan’s defeat, with PKR losing to MIC by just 174 votes.

Despite securing a portion of the vote share, Bersama failed to retain its deposits in any of the 15 seats it contested. - Mkini