Bersama To Contest Johor State Election, Launches Nationwide ‘Jelajah Kancil’ Campaign Tour

KUALA LUMPUR, June, 2026 –Parti Bersama Malaysia, or Bersama, has confirmed that it will contest the upcoming 2026 Johor state election, marking the party’s first electoral test since being revived on May 17.

In a statement issued from Puchong, Bersama said the decision to enter the Johor polls was finalised after discussions involving its leadership and selected members from across the country. The party added that further discussions will be held with Johor representatives to identify the constituencies it plans to contest.

The move is significant because Bersama is still less than a month old since its relaunch, yet it is already preparing to take part in one of Malaysia’s most closely watched state elections. The Johor polls will therefore serve as an early platform for the party to introduce itself to voters and test its political machinery on the ground.

According to Bersama, contesting in Johor is not only about winning seats, but also about building organisational strength, engaging voters directly and preparing for future elections. The party said the state election will allow it to assess its campaign structure, grassroots support and ability to communicate its political message to the public.

Alongside its election plans, Bersama also announced the launch of its nationwide campaign tour called Jelajah Kancil. The tour will begin on June 6, 2026, at the Danga Bay Convention Centre in Johor Bahru at 8pm.

The campaign tour will focus on Bersama’s 12-Agenda framework, with each state highlighting one agenda item. The initiative is expected to run across several states from June to July as part of the party’s effort to introduce its ideas and connect with grassroots communities.

Among the scheduled Jelajah Kancil stops are Melaka on June 7, Negeri Sembilan on June 13, Perak on June 14, Kelantan and north Terengganu on June 20, Pahang and south Terengganu on June 21, north and central Selangor on June 28, and south Selangor on July 1.

The tour is also expected to continue to Pulau Pinang on July 4, Kedah and Perlis on July 5, Kuala Lumpur through Setiawangsa on July 11, Selangor Barat in Shah Alam on July 12, and Selangor Timur in Pandan on July 18. Bersama said event dates and venues may be updated from time to time.

Registration details for the events will be available through Bersama’s official event platform, with the party also providing QR code access for supporters and members of the public who wish to participate.

The statement was signed on behalf of Bersama by Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, two names closely watched in Malaysian politics following the party’s revival.

Bersama described its campaign approach as “positive, innovative and future-focused”, saying it wants to mobilise grassroots participation ahead of the Johor polls. The party said its campaign will focus on forward-looking ideas rather than traditional political rhetoric.

The announcement comes at a politically important moment, as Johor prepares for a state election following the dissolution of the state legislative assembly. The election is expected to attract strong competition among major coalitions and emerging political groups.

For Bersama, the Johor state election could become a testing ground for its new political identity. As a recently revived party, it will need to convince voters that it has a clear agenda, credible candidates and the ability to organise effectively at constituency level.

Johor is considered one of Malaysia’s most politically and economically important states. Its proximity to Singapore, major industrial zones, ports, trade links and investment activity make the state a key battleground for parties seeking wider national influence.

By choosing to contest in Johor, Bersama is entering a competitive political field that already includes Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional and other political players. This means the party will need to differentiate itself clearly if it wants to attract voter attention.

The Jelajah Kancil tour appears to be part of that strategy. Instead of limiting its campaign to Johor alone, Bersama is using a nationwide roadshow to introduce its 12-Agenda framework and build wider public recognition.

This approach suggests that Bersama is not treating the Johor polls as an isolated election, but as the beginning of a broader national political campaign. The party appears to be using the election as a launchpad to strengthen its presence ahead of future contests.

The focus on grassroots participation is also important. Malaysian elections often depend heavily on local networks, voter engagement, community outreach and constituency-level campaigning. For a revived party, building those networks quickly will be one of the biggest challenges.

Bersama’s success in Johor may depend on several factors, including the constituencies it chooses to contest, the profile of its candidates, its campaign message and how effectively it can reach younger and undecided voters.

The party’s use of the name Jelajah Kancil may also be intended to create a more relatable and local identity. The kancil is often associated with intelligence and agility in Malay folklore, which could support the party’s message of being innovative and adaptive.

However, entering an election less than a month after relaunch also presents risks. Voters may still be unfamiliar with the party’s structure, policies and leadership direction. Bersama will need to use the campaign period to explain not only what it stands for, but also why voters should consider it as an alternative.

The Johor election will likely be shaped by issues such as cost of living, jobs, housing, infrastructure, local development, governance and youth opportunities. Bersama’s 12-Agenda framework may need to address these issues clearly to gain traction.

For Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the campaign could also be seen as an important test of their ability to build a new political platform beyond existing party structures. Their involvement gives Bersama visibility, but the party will still need to prove that it can convert attention into votes.

The launch of Jelajah Kancil at Danga Bay Convention Centre also carries symbolic weight. Starting the tour in Johor places the state at the centre of Bersama’s immediate political strategy, especially as the party prepares to contest there.

Overall, Bersama’s decision to contest the Johor state election marks a major step for the newly revived party. With Jelajah Kancil set to begin on June 6, the party is moving quickly to introduce its agenda, build grassroots participation and test its election machinery in a competitive political environment.

The coming weeks will show whether Bersama can turn its early momentum into meaningful voter support in Johor, or whether it will face the usual challenges confronting new and revived political parties in Malaysia’s crowded electoral landscape.