Johor polls: Bersama skips manifesto, unveils five-point voter pledge

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — Parti Bersama Malaysia today unveiled a five-point service pledge for the Johor state election, saying it would focus on commitments it could realistically deliver rather than issuing a traditional election manifesto.

According to The Star, party president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli said the approach reflected Bersama’s position as a new party contesting only 15 state seats and its aim of becoming a credible opposition rather than forming the state government.

“Not only are 15 seats not enough to form the state government, but we must also be realistic that winning all 15 seats will be difficult, considering Bersama is only 44 days old.

“Bersama's objective in this election is very clear, which is to become a functional, capable and credible opposition.

“Therefore, Bersama should focus on what we can offer in serving the people of Johor beyond this election, rather than coming up with a manifesto as is usually done in an election,” he told a press conference at the party’s command centre in Taman Sri Tebrau.

Rafizi said Bersama’s candidates had committed to five key priorities: serving as the people’s voice, providing constructive opposition, championing housing rights, advocating an integrated public transport system, and strengthening checks and balances on the state government’s spending and performance.

He said the pledge deliberately focused on matters that fall under the state government’s jurisdiction so that voters would be presented with commitments the party could realistically pursue if elected.

“This is a state election, and the powers of the Federal and state governments are clearly defined under the Federal Constitution.

“That is why our service pledge focuses on areas such as housing, land matters, public transport to ease congestion, as well as the state government's spending and administrative efficiency,” he said.