KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional's victory in the Mahkota by-election indicates that the constituents want the unity government to prioritise economic matters, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"No one expected BN to win by a majority of over 20,000 votes," Bernama reported tonight.
It was reported that BN successfully retained the Mahkota state seat in Johor, with its candidate Syed Hussein Syed Abdullah securing 27,995 votes.
Syed Hussein secured 27,995 votes, with a 20,648 majority, defeating Perikatan Nasional's Mohamad Haizan Jaafar who garnered 7,347 votes.
A total of 339 ballot papers were rejected, while 24 were not accepted.
The Election Commission recorded 53.84 per cent voters' turnout.
The by-election was held following the death of assemblyman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain on Aug 2.
The former Kluang Wanita chief won the Mahkota state seat with a 5,166 majority with 16,611 votes in the 15th general election, against Pakatan Harapan's Taqiuddin Cheman, who garnered 11,445 votes, Mohamad Nor Lingan (7,614 votes), and Parti Warisan Sabah's Mohamed Noor Suleiman.