New political party Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) is seeking support from Chinese voters in Melaka, with its relatively young and inexperienced candidateas holding a fundraising dinner attended by about 800 people.
In a statement on its Melaka election campaign, Bersama said 80 tables were sold for the dinner, organised by its candidates with the help of former Klebang assemblyman Gue Teck.
The party said its 16 Melaka candidates, whom it described as young and without political experience, had only three weeks to sell tickets for the event.
Bersama said the turnout provided encouragement as it seeks to establish itself as a political voice in the state, while acknowledging that voter sentiment, particularly among Chinese voters, was difficult to gauge.
The party said its candidates would raise issues they believed were wrong and propose measures they considered beneficial to future generations, regardless of which party was in power.
Bersama has announced 15 candidates for the Melaka state election, with the party saying it would contest independently.
Among the seats named by the party are Kelebang, Pengkalan Batu, Ayer Keroh, Kesidang and Kota Laksamana, areas where several of its candidates are set to face established parties.
The Melaka state assembly was dissolved on Sept 23, with the Election Commission yet to announce the nomination and polling dates.
