Bersama rejects claims it will split opposition votes in Johor polls - Tiram candidate

JOHOR BAHRU - Bersama has dismissed claims that its participation in the Johor state election would merely split opposition votes and indirectly benefit Barisan Nasional (BN).

Tiram candidate Dr Harith Fakhrudin Abdul Malek said it was too early to make such assumptions before voters head to the polls.

He said the newly formed party was offering a completely different political approach compared to established parties.

"I think it's quite premature to assume that at this moment. We have to wait until voters go out on July 11 and cast their votes.

"What we are offering is completely different from the traditional parties that have been around for more than 10 years," he told Sinar Daily.

The doctor-turned-businessman said Bersama's campaign style and political ideals differ significantly from the existing political landscape, adding that the party's decision to contest independently allows it to raise issues without being constrained by coalition politics.

"We really want to fight and that's why we are going solo.

"We do not have to worry whether raising certain issues will shake a collaboration or cause trouble with our political partners. We want to bring back the power of politics to the people," he said.

Dr Harith said political parties should be directly accountable to voters instead of being preoccupied with maintaining fragile political alliances.

"When the people have the power, politicians will have no choice but to listen and do something about the issues that matter," he said.

Dr Harith insisted that Bersama's participation should instead be viewed as providing voters with an alternative political choice.

"Our politics should be about the people having more options and better representation, not about protecting existing political arrangements," he said.