JOHOR BAHRU, May 23 -- Johor has become the first state to set up a pro-tem committee for the Malaysian United Party (Bersama) nationwide ahead of the coming state election.

Johor Bersama joint interim committee chairman Abd Hamid Ali said the state has recorded more than 2,800 new members from various backgrounds following the party's establishment last week.

He said Johor's membership currently consists of about 30 per cent former PKR members, with the majority comprising veteran and founding members.

"The Johor Bersama committee members consist of former PKR state and division leaders, including a former state assemblyman.

"Our decision to leave PKR and join Bersama was made after we lost confidence in our former party's transparen...