Mr Anwar, 70, was convicted of sodomy in 2015 in a case he said was politically motivated. Mr Anwar said poor Malays will benefit more from merit-based policies that are transparent. Mr Anwar said Mr Najib called him on the night of the May 9 polls after it was clear that Mr Najib's National Front coalition, which ruled Malaysia since independence from Britain in 1957, was losing. He said Mr Najib appeared to be still in denial and that he advised Mr Najib to concede defeat. He played down concerns of possible tension with Dr Mahathir, saying he would not hold any cabinet post for now to give Dr Mahathir "a free hand'' in running the country.

Source: Bangkok Post May 17, 2018 10:41 UTC