KUALA LUMPUR, July 15, 2026 — Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) has announced it will not contest the Negeri Sembilan state election (PRN), which begins with candidate nominations this Saturday (18 July 2026). The party will instead channel its full attention and resources toward the forthcoming Melaka state election.
In an official media statement issued today, co-leaders Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, and Syukri Razab explained the strategic decision. They noted that competition between Pakatan Harapan (PH) — the incumbent state government — and Barisan Nasional (BN) is significantly more intense in Negeri Sembilan compared to the recent Johor state election. The outcome in Negeri Sembilan could also affect other sensitive political matters, including ongoing conflicts involving the throne of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
“Given these issues as well as time and resource constraints, Bersama believes it is more strategic for the party to shift its focus to the Melaka state election which will be held several months from now,” the statement said. “Therefore, Bersama will not participate in the Negeri Sembilan state election to devote its full attention to the Melaka poll.”
Bersama will hold an early preparatory meeting for the Melaka election on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, to identify constituencies and begin screening candidates so that they can be announced earlier.
The party will also organise a thank-you event for volunteers who served in the recent Johor state election. The event, which will include Johor candidates, is scheduled for Sunday, 19 July 2026, at 8:30 p.m. at Bersama’s headquarters in Puchong, Selangor. It will be followed by a screening of the FIFA World Cup final at the same venue starting at 12:30 a.m. on Monday, 20 July 2026.
Bersama members, volunteers, and members of the public are invited to attend both events. Those interested are encouraged to register via the party’s event page at https://bersama.org/ms/acara.
The statement expressed gratitude to party members and volunteers who were prepared to be mobilised for Negeri Sembilan despite still recovering from the demands of the Johor campaign. It also conveyed best wishes to voters in Negeri Sembilan and expressed hope to engage with them during the 16th General Election.
Bersama is a political party that came under the leadership of former PKR leaders Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in May 2026. The party has positioned itself as a platform focused on structural reforms and has grown rapidly since the leadership transition.
The Negeri Sembilan state election is scheduled for 1 August 2026 and involves all 36 seats in the state assembly. The Melaka state election is expected to take place later, possibly in September 2026, after the completion of the Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls.
Bersama’s decision reflects a calculated approach to allocate limited resources toward a contest where the party believes it can be better prepared.
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