Berjasa targeting 15 seats in Negeri Sembilan polls

PETALING JAYA: Berjasa is targeting 15 seats in the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election, although the final number will depend on negotiations with its political partners, particularly PAS.

Berjasa president Zamani Ibrahim said the target was based on the party’s organisational strength and election machinery in the state, Utusan Malaysia reported.

Zamani said the party intended to field its own leaders and members as candidates, citing their credibility and record of serving the community, despite requests from members from other parties who want to vie for the seats.

“Berjasa’s members include doctors, engineers and retired civil servants.

“While our leaders have never served as ministers, executive councillors or assemblymen, we are confident in these new faces we will put forward,” he was quoted as saying, adding that these potential candidates were a mix of professionals and religious scholars.

Zamani also said Berjasa wanted to promote a more mature style of politics by focussing on solving people’s problems instead of attacking political opponents.

“I do not want Berjasa to disparage, insult or shame others. We want to present ourselves as a party offering the best solutions and let the people make their choice,” he said.

He said the party was focussing on several rural constituencies as well as seats with a high proportion of young voters.

Berjasa has never won a seat despite contesting in parliamentary constituencies in the past.

Separately, Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) secretary-general Koh Swee Yong told FMT the party intends to field two candidates in the Johor state election, and one in Negeri Sembilan.

Koh said PRM is prepared to work with other parties “for the good of our future”.

Among the parties it is working with or holding discussions with are Parti Sosialis Malaysia and Parti Orang Asli, while talks are also ongoing with Muda and the Green Party.

The Johor election will be held on July 11, and the Negeri Sembilan polls on Aug 1.