PETALING JAYA: Parti Berjasa Malaysia (Berjasa) is targeting 15 state seats in Negri Sembilan in the next state election, although the final allocation will depend on negotiations with its political partners, particularly PAS, Sinar Harian reports.
According to the Malay language daily, Berjasa president Zaimuni Ibrahim said discussions on seat distribution were ongoing to avoid clashes with allied parties and prevent a split in votes.
"We welcome electoral cooperation with PAS and this matter will be discussed in detail. Berjasa needs to first present the number of seats we are targeting.
"We will then finalise the matter together with our partner parties as part of efforts to win power in Negeri Sembilan," he told reporters after launching Berjasa's Negri Sembilan election machinery in Seremban on Wednesday (June 17).
Zaimuni said the party had identified most of the constituencies it hopes to contest, but could not confirm them until discussions with its partners were completed.
"We do not want to contest in a way that results in vote-splitting. We are targeting 15 state seats and once this is agreed upon with our partners, that will be the final decision," he said.
On candidate selection, he said priority would be given to Berjasa leaders and members with strong credentials and track records.
Although individuals from other parties had expressed interest in contesting under the Berjasa banner, he said the party was inclined to field its own members.
"We have many capable figures within the party, including doctors, engineers, retired civil servants, professionals and religious scholars who can be put forward as candidates," he said.
Zaimuni also confirmed that he intends to contest in the Negri Sembilan election, although the constituency he will contest has yet to be decided and will depend on the outcome of ongoing political negotiations.
He added that Berjasa would not be contesting in Johor's state election, choosing instead to focus on assisting campaign efforts there through its party machinery.
On the logo to be used in the election, Zaimuni said the matter had yet to be decided and would be subject to discussions with PAS.
