FORMER prime minister Najib Razak, who has quit as Barisan Nasional and Umno chief, said the coalition, which had never been out of power until now, lost the 14th general election due to a “perception war”.

While he took responsibility for BN and Umno’s dismal performance in the May 9 elections, he said the defeat was due to the difference between “perception and reality”.

“We have the chance now to improve our weaknesses and shortcomings, even though many of them stem from the question of perception versus reality.

“But, that is the name of the game in politics. Whoever wins the perception war, he gets the support of the people,” he said during a press conference today, where he announced his resignation from the top posts of the coalition and party.

Out of the 222 federal seats, BN won 79, of which Umno took 54. It was a stunning blow to the majority numbers that the coalition had long enjoyed.

Pakatan Harapan’s campaign was led by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as its chairman, and centred on issues of corruption allegedly involving Najib and 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing. – May 12, 2018.