The Ijok victory showed that people are more confident in the BN government, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a live telecast shortly after the results were announced.

"People are more confident and they have taken this opportunity to voice their support for the government," he said during a RTM1 live telecast from his residence in Putrajaya.

"The BN component parties have to face various challenges from the opposition. PKR has done all it could to disrupt the by-election.

"But the BN has met the demands of the voters and they have reciprocated by showing their support for K Parthiban and the BN,"

Abdullah thanked his deputy, Najib Abdul Razak as well as Selangor Mentri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for their hard work in the by-election.

"BN has worked hard, and the people has shown their appreciation by voting BN," he said.

'BN not on the decline'

Abdullah added that the victory showed that BN was not on the decline: "It was a big majority ... kemerosotan BN tidak berlaku ."

Abdullah also spoke about the high turnout among the young voters saying that "the young have come out to make their vote count... they are voting for development."

Najib later concurred that the victory was an affirmation to the BN mandate.

"People have provided more support to the BN compared to the previous elections, where the majority has increased by 201 votes," he said during the live telecast.

"This has shown that the Ijok voters have shown their support to the BN government, and I appreciate the prime minister's support in paving the way for victory," he added.

He also thanked Selangor MB Khir Toyo, Ijok candidate K Parthiban and leaders of the various BN components for working so closely together to ensure a big win for the coalition.

"This is a victory of unity and for a better future," Najib added.