PETALING JAYA: After failing to win a single seat in its electoral debut in Johor, Parti Bersama Malaysia will not contest the Negeri Sembilan state election on Aug 1, opting to focus on the Melaka polls instead.
Bersama said the contest between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional in Negeri Sembilan would be more intense than in Johor.
It also said the election outcome could have wider political implications, including the dispute involving the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and the state’s undangs.
“Taking these factors, as well as time and resource constraints, into consideration, Bersama believes it is more strategic to shift its focus to the Melaka state election, which will be held in a few months,” it said in a statement.
“An initial meeting to prepare for the Melaka election will be held on July 21 to identify target seats and begin screening potential candidates so they can be announced early.”
Bersama fielded 15 candidates in Saturday’s Johor election but failed to win any, with all of its candidates losing their deposits.
Negeri Sembilan will head to the polls on Aug 1, with nomination day set for July 18 and early voting on July 28.
Melaka could be next to hold its election, possibly by September. The term of its legislative assembly will expire at the end of December, unless it is dissolved earlier.
