Bersama will contest 15 seats in the upcoming Melaka state election, with the party announcing its candidates early to give them more time to introduce themselves to voters.
Party leader Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said Bersama, as a new brand, had more work to do to familiarise voters with the party and its candidates.
‘We are announcing our candidates early so they can introduce themselves to voters faster. You would be surprised at the impact you can achieve when you meet voters on the ground earlier,’ he said at a gathering in Melaka tonight.
Among the candidates is Solehin Saleh, the brother of Umno Youth chief and Merlimau assemblyman Akmal Saleh, who will contest the Bemban seat.
Rafizi eyes simple majority with 15 seats
Bersama co-leader Rafizi Ramli said the party’s decision to contest 15 of the 28 seats in the Melaka state assembly meant it could technically form the state government if it won every seat it was contesting.
‘Fifteen seats are needed for a simple majority to form the government. If all of you vote for us and we win all 15, God willing, there will be a ‘Kancil’ chief minister in Melaka,’ he told party members and supporters.
He was referring to Bersama’s election symbol, the kancil, or mouse deer.
Rafizi also said the party would unveil its manifesto on the night of nomination day.
The Melaka polls are due by late February 2027, although chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh has reportedly said they could be held as early as next month.
Candidates named for 15 constituencies
Bersama’s first electoral outing was in the July 11 Johor state election, where all 15 of its candidates were defeated and lost their deposits.
The party did not contest the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan election, choosing instead to focus on the upcoming Melaka election.
Bersama’s candidates for the Melaka election are:
- N01 Kuala Linggi – Ruzsyahriman Jenal
- N06 Rembia – Aman Akil Abdul Talib
- N07 Gadek – B Laveen
- N08 Machap Jaya – B Prasanth Kumar
- N11 Sungai Udang – Ridzuan Abdul Rahman
- N13 Paya Rumput – Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar
- N14 Klebang – Yong Jie Yu
- N15 Pengkalan Batu – Goh Han Koon
- N16 Ayer Keroh – Muhaimin Lau Abdullah
- N17 Bukit Katil – Aliza Che Amran
- N19 Kesidang – Bryan Kek
- N20 Kota Laksamana – Ethan Lim
- N23 Telok Mas – Hazwan Mustafa
- N24 Bemban – Solehin Saleh
- N26 Serkam – Saffie Yasan
