Barisan Nasional (BN) today retained the Kuala Berang state seat in Terengganu after defeating PAS with an increased majority of 2,059 votes.

BN candidate Mohd Zawawi Ismail (left) polled 6,051 votes while PAS' Muhyiddin Abdul Rashid managed to only garner 3,992.

In the March 21 general election BN candidate Komaruddin Abdul Rahman defeated PAS candidate Dr Mamad Puteh by 1,695 votes. The by-election was called following the incumbent's death on July 30.

Polling ended at 5pm and the voter turn-out was reported at 88.78 percent, a slight dip from the number during the general election, which was at 89.78 percent.

In the general election, there were 11,437 voters while the current electoral list stands at 11,429, with 129 postal voters.

Endorsement for BN

Umno vice-president and BN by-election coordinator Muhammad Muhd Taib said the result was the people's endorsement for BN's rule.

In a video conferencing with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak aired over RTM later, BN chairperson and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he was happy with the outcome.

He attributed the victory to the cooperation of BN workers who had toiled hard during the camapigning period.

The premier also congratulated Mohd Zawawi and urged him to work diligently as the people have placed their trust in him.

Najib then told Abdullah that the Kuala Berang by-election was testimony to the people's approval of the premier's leadership.

'Dirty tactics'

Meanwhile, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said he was satisfied with the outcome as the party still managed to retain a sizable number of votes despite being up against BN's massive machinery and the media.

Speaking to malaysiakini at the sidelines of the PAS annual meet in Kelantan, he said this proved that the people have not rejected PAS but were confused by BN's 'dirty tactics.

"We will continue the struggle through the democratic process although the democracy in Malaysia is impaired," he added.

Commenting on the by-election, PAS vice president Mustafa Ali said the result comes as no surprise since "BN has the money, the machinery and the media".