KUALA LUMPUR – Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) has acknowledged its disappointing performance in the Johor state election after all 15 of its candidates failed to secure the minimum votes required to retain their deposits.
Its president, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, said an initial analysis based on Form 14 results and unofficial figures received by the party’s campaign headquarters showed Bersama candidates obtained an average of between 3% and 6% of the votes in the constituencies they contested.
He said the outcome not only resulted in all Bersama candidates losing their deposits but also fell short of the party’s initial target of securing at least 15% of the vote share.
“This means all Bersama candidates lost their deposits because they did not obtain the minimum 12.5% of votes.
“It also did not meet the target of not losing deposits and achieving 15% of votes,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
Rafizi said the party’s preliminary assessment also indicated a significant shift in voter support towards Barisan Nasional (BN) across various demographic groups, including different age and ethnic segments.
“This initial analysis shows there was a significant shift of votes towards Barisan Nasional (BN) across all voter segments based on age and race.
“All candidates from other parties, including Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Bersama and MUDA, were also affected by this shift in votes,” he said.
He added that Bersama would conduct a detailed review of the election results to improve the party’s approach and strengthen its efforts to gain voter support in future elections.
Rafizi also thanked voters who placed their trust in Bersama candidates, as well as party candidates, members, volunteers and supporters who contributed throughout the Johor election campaign.
He said an appreciation event for the party’s election machinery would be held at Bersama’s new headquarters once the facility is ready for use.
“Although the Johor state election results did not favour Bersama, the campaigning experience will help build this party, which is only 52 days old.
“Insya-Allah, we will continue to strive and pray that Malaysians will be open to accepting Bersama one day,” he said.
Meanwhile, PAS said it respected the choice of Johor voters in determining the state government’s leadership in the 16th Johor state election, Bernama reported.
Johor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed congratulated BN, led by Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, after the coalition secured a sufficient majority to form the new Johor state government.
“PAS Johor, together with Perikatan Nasional, will continue to remain steadfast in strengthening our commitment and pursuing our struggle for religion, race and the welfare of the people, as preparation for the 16th General Election,” he said in a statement.
Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the party would also conduct a detailed review of the Johor election results to identify strategic steps to strengthen its political efforts.
The Johor 16th state election saw BN securing a simple majority after winning 29 of the 56 state seats as of 10.32pm on Saturday.
PH won two seats, while PN, Bersama, MUDA, Parti Orang Asli Malaysia, Parti Sosialis Malaysia and independent candidates had yet to secure any victories at the time of the announcement. – July 12, 2026