In a Facebook post, Muhyiddin expressed gratitude to voters who supported the PN candidate and to all leaders and volunteers for their efforts during the campaign.

“Although we had hoped for victory, we accept the decision made by the voters with an open heart. What matters most is that we remain steadfast in our struggle that tests our patience and resilience,” he said.

“The flame of our commitment to uphold religion, nation and country will continue to burn brightly.”

Barisan Nasional regained the Nenggiri state seat after its candidate, Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, won with a 3,352-vote majority over PN candidate Rizwadi Ismail.

The seat had been an Umno stronghold for four terms until 2022. It was closely contested in two previous elections, with BN winning by just 461 votes in 2018 before PN wrested it for the first time last year, with a slightly larger 810-vote majority.