A BERSAMA candidate who would be contesting in the Melaka state election was offered RM30,000 to withdraw from the race, party president Syukri Razab revealed via a Facebook post.
The candidate who is contesting in the Paya Rumput state constituency was advised to withdraw or get disqualified as a candidate on nomination day.
In other words, the candidate – Rashid Karimi – is required to be absent at the nomination centre tomorrow morning (Oct 31).
In return for this act, Rashid was offered RM30,000 by certain quarters.
The individuals who offered the amount was not revealed. Their party affiliation was also not disclosed.
The Election Commission (EC) will open 28 nomination centres tomorrow with nomination papers must be submitted at these centres between 9am and 10am. The Melaka state election is slated for Nov 14.
Liable to RM2m suit
Syukri remarked that the amount offered would not be worth it since candidates are required to sign a bond with the party. Those who act against the BERSAMA constituency can be sued for RM2 mil.
Based on Syukri’s post, it is unlikely for BERSAMA to push this matter to the authorities. The above incident is an offence under Election Offences Act 1954.
The former student activist and former special officer/secretary to BERSAMA’s co-leader Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli during his tenure as economy minister was previously a prominent youth leader in PKR along with Rashid who was one the PKR Youth permanent chairman.
The new party is fielding 16 candidates in this election in a state with 28 state constituencies.
Melaka is the second state election that the party is participating in. It first contested in Johor but all of its candidates lost their deposit.
Aside from BERSAMA, the election would see incumbents Barisan Nasional (BN) collaborating with Perikatan Nasional (PN). BN has offered PN seven seats.
Pakatan Harapan is also participating in this election via a pact with PN’s estranged component Bersatu. – Oct 30, 2026
Main image credit: BERSAMA
