ALL 15 candidates fielded under the Bersama banner in the upcoming Johor state election will sign sworn declarations covering assets, income and expenditure, alongside a series of binding undertakings aimed at strengthening internal party discipline and public accountability.
In a statement issued today, Bersama said the candidates would execute their declarations through statutory declarations before contesting in the election, with full documentation to be submitted ahead of the official candidate announcement.
The measures include a structured set of undertakings and a conditional resignation arrangement intended to prevent party defection and ensure adherence to party discipline throughout the term of office.
Among the requirements, candidates will sign an undertaking to vacate their seat if they are expelled from or cease to be members of Bersama, alongside a pre-signed resignation letter to be held by the movement.
They will also commit to returning election deposits to Bersama under specified conditions, and affirm that they meet all legal requirements to stand as candidates while providing accurate personal information.
"All 15 Bersama candidates have agreed to sign the set of statutory declarations," the statement said.
The declaration framework further includes a sworn statement of assets, liabilities, income and expenditure, which Bersama said would be made publicly accessible.
In addition, candidates will be bound by a further sworn undertaking covering a range of political and ethical commitments, including a pledge not to defect from the party, not to vacate their seats without justification, and to attend sittings of the State Legislative Assembly.
The agreement also includes a RM2 million penalty clause for any breach of the undertakings.
Bersama said the full set of sworn declarations from each candidate is expected to be submitted by 12 noon on 26 June 2026, approximately six hours before the official announcement of candidates.
The movement added that all asset declarations would be uploaded to its official website, bersama.org, with public access to candidate profiles, including career background, education, community involvement and financial disclosures, scheduled to open at 10pm on Friday, 26 June 2026.
Bersama said the initiative was intended to enhance transparency and allow voters to independently assess the integrity and financial standing of candidates.
The candidates will be officially announced at 8pm on Friday at Paragon Market Place in Johor Bahru, where the launch of the “Trak Kancil” (“Mousedeer Truck”) campaign vehicle will also take place.
The event will be streamed across social media platforms, with members of the public invited to attend and register via the organisation’s website.
Bersama also urged other political parties to adopt similar asset declaration practices to strengthen governance standards in electoral politics.
It further pledged to publish a post-election statement of campaign expenditure and funding sources within two weeks of the end of the campaign period.
The initiative comes amid growing public scrutiny of political financing and candidate accountability in Malaysia ahead of the Johor state election. - June 25, 2026
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