News Watch (10-5-2018)

FE Team | Published: May 09, 2018 23:48:13

Malaysia election: Mahathir claims victory
Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition was reeling with heavy losses midway through counting following Wednesday's general election, until filing the report at 10.15pm. Independent news portal Malaysiakini said as of 10.50pm local time, Najib's Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition had garnered 54 out of 222 parliament seats, compared to 51 seats won by Mahathir's Pakatan Harapan coalition. However, according to a report by The Straits Times website at 10 pm Mahathir claims that Pakatan Harapan has 'practically' clinched 112 seats, accuses Barisan Nasional of deliberate attempt to delay announcement of results. He said, "it would seem that we have practically achieved that figure of 112. And the figure for BN is very much less than that. There's no way they can catch up." Four top lieutenants of Prime Minister Najib Razak - including transport minister Liow Tiong Lai and health minister S. Subramaniam - among those felled so far.
— South China Morning Post