WANTED: fresh-faced individuals with strong academic qualifications and a belief in reforming Malaysia. And something else – these men and women must be comfortable shooting the breeze with simple rural folk.‎ 

They must have the common touch and cannot be squeamish about attending weddings, funerals and other kampung events.

But above all, the common touch is what newcomer Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will be looking for in candidates as it prepares to make its debut in the 14th general election.

This is because Bersatu is going to face Umno, which has since Merdeka, claimed the hearts and minds of rural Malays.

To beat Umno, Bersatu candidates must not only be able to endear themselves to kampung folk but also offer a vision of a progressive, just and inclusive Malaysia that the party wants to build, said its Supreme Council members.

Party insiders told The Malaysian Insight that the common touch was critical as Bersatu has proposed to its partners in the Pakatan Harapan coalition that the party spearhead the PH campaign in Johor, Kedah and Perak, states which are now being governed by Barisan Nasional.

The plan calls for Bersatu to contest in a significant number of seats in the three states with the aim of displacing Umno as the party of choice for rural Malays and forming state governments with partners PKR, DAP and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).

Another important trait that Bersatu will consider when selecting candidates is political or government experience. But this did not mean that Umno veterans or others with political experience would be a shoo-in over newcomers, said its Supreme Council leader Dr Rais Hussin.

“Skill, knowledge and abilities are paramount. Political and government experience is also important. We need to offer hope to the people that we are bringing a new brand of politics so we will also field many fresh faces,” Rais told The Malaysian Insight.

The party has been cagey about identifying any potential candidates, leading its critics to level the charge that Bersatu, for all its tough talk, will probably field former Umno politicians at GE14.

The party led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin will probably field many of its Supreme Council members, including Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Jorak state legislator Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh, former Election Commission chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, and Akramshah Sanusi and Tareq Ismail Mustafa, who are also Supreme Council members.

Muhyiddin, Mukhriz Mahathir and vice-president Hamidah Osman are expected to lead the campaigns in Johor, Kedah and Perak respectively.

Rais said the party has yet to decide on its list of potential candidates for GE14.

“Our priority now is to build our branches and divisions in all the states and train our people,” said Rais, who is part of the party’s think-tank.

“But we are looking to field a lot of young leaders who have both skill and passion. We want those who firmly believe in our core principles of reforms, justice, inclusiveness, progressiveness and moderation.”

Another Bersatu senior leader said although the party has many former Umno leaders and members, that experience was not a prerequisite. 

“The culture of prioritising those with status or positions is something we are trying to expunge from Bersatu. We are inculcating a culture of choosing people based on merit and ability as we do not want to be like Umno,” said the senior leader.

Rais added that academic qualifications were important as the party wanted individuals who were comfortable with changing trends.

“Academic qualifications equip you with the ability to deal with constant change in technology, tastes and mindsets.” 

Rais declined to comment on Bersatu’s plans to lead the PH campaign to take over Johor, Kedah and Perak, as seat negotiations between partners were ongoing.

“We have not reached a consensus yet with our allies but the talks are going smoothly.” – April 18, 2017.