Ex-senior civil servants keen to contest for Bersama, says Rafizi

PETALING JAYA: Former senior civil servants are among those who have volunteered to become candidates for Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) in the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, says party leader Rafizi Ramli.

Rafizi said the party had received an encouraging response after opening applications slightly more than a week ago to those interested in contesting in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.

The former economy minister said the candidates comprise a mix of professionals, those with political experience and others actively involved in community work.

“I have personally reviewed each application… The response from professionals, intellectuals and former senior government officials has been very encouraging,” he said, reported Sinar Harian.

“We are looking at their educational background, career achievements, community involvement and their ability to solve the rakyat’s problems,” he told reporters after the party’s roadshow in Kota Bharu last night.

He said Bersama will announce its line-up of candidates for the Johor election on Friday. He did not disclose the number of seats the party intended to contest.

The Election Commission has fixed July 11 as polling day for the Johor state election, with nomination day set for June 27 and early voting on July 7.

Former ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad took over Bersama after resigning last month as the MPs for Pandan and Setiawangsa respectively, and quitting PKR.