BARISAN Nasional (BN) has failed to head off the wave of popular support brought on by Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said former second finance minister Johari Abdul Ghani in his concession speech tonight.

Johari, who failed to retain the federal parliamentary seat of Titiwangsa, said he lost despite the best efforts by BN’s campaign machinery.

“We tried our best. But it’s very unfortunate that the wave of Dr Mahathir was so strong in our country, especially in the urban areas. We have to accept this defeat with an open heart. We will come back in the next election,” he told supporters in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

“We will work again. The people of Titiwangsa understand what we have done in the last five years. They (the voters) heard us but they don’t understand the national issues. So I think that the swing is so strong that they don’t understand what they are doing.”

Johari lost to Bersatu’s Rina Harun, who also defeated PAS’ Mohamad Noor Mohamad.

“I know you have been working hard in the last 11 days. My partners at the Umno division levels have been working hard. I myself, for five solid years I’ve served the community of Titiwangsa,” he said.

Johari had won the seat in 2013 with 866 votes. – May 10, 2018.