Zahid concedes defeat as BN grapples with bigger loss than in 2018

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said he accepted the results of the general election which have so far witnessed the coalition staring at its worst defeat in history, despite going to the polls on a note of confidence following victories in two state elections.

"BN views the results of GE15 as a big signal from the people towards us," Zahid said in a short statement, as results poured in showing BN losing its traditional seats to Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Zahid, the Umno president, had been at the forefront of pressure on Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to call for snap elections, and was instrumental in breaking his party's ties with Bersatu and PN.

The results of the election which began gathering pace after midnight showed PN and Pakatan Harapan bagging most of the seats.

PN won not only in Putrajaya, but also in seats that had always been Umno bastions, such as Padang Rengas, Pasir Salak and Kepala Batas.

Zahid said despite the losses, BN was committed to ensuring a stable government.

"We are ready to set aside our previous differences in our sentiments," he said, adding that the BN coalition would focus on "understanding the needs of the new generation".