Dissatisfaction with governance, rising crime rates, consumer-price inflation, and corruption highlighted during the election campaign contributed to a decline in BN's support, particularly in urban and minority communities.
[1][2][3] Beyond their initial targets, the opposition achieved significant success, gaining control of five states: Kelantan (retained by PAS), Kedah, Penang, Perak, and Selangor.
The opposition also made inroads in traditionally strong Barisan Nasional territories, securing several parliamentary seats in states such as Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor, and Pahang.
Losing five states and being left with only 140 parliamentary seats, put intense pressure on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was later asked to resign.
[5] This electoral shift reduced BN's dominance and altered Malaysia's political landscape, providing the opposition with a stronger platform to promote their reform agenda.
[6] In 2005, Hishammuddin Hussein's act of wielding a kris during the UMNO Youth General Assembly was perceived as controversial and reportedly offended segments of the Chinese community.
Leaders such as Mahfuz Omar and Salahuddin Ayub were strategically placed in Kedah and Kelantan respectively, while Nasharudin Mat Isa contested in Bachok against the Barisan Nasional candidate, Awang Adek.