Ayer Kuning: Barisan Nasional (BN) recorded increased support across various ethnic groups in Saturday's Ayer Kuning state by-election, despite analyses claiming that the party's candidate did not secure overwhelming backing, its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. The UMNO president stated that in reality, only one polling district centre (PDM) showed a reduction in votes, by 88 votes, while the others were fully reclaimed by BN. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid highlighted increased support from Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Orang Asli voters during a media session following the Housing Aid Handover Ceremony and the Kesedar Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration at Dataran Awam Kampung Jerek. He attributed the low voter turnout-around 58 percent-to voters being away to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Cheng Beng among the Chinese community. 'Many may have just returned to their family homes and could not come back in time to vote. However, what is most important is that we not only defe nded the seat but also secured more than double the number of votes,' Ahmad Zahid remarked. He also expressed gratitude for the victory and praised the party machinery's effective efforts at all levels in reaching out to voters. 'Various approaches were taken, and what's important is that every voter must be engaged using appropriate methods. Alhamdulillah, the success in the Nenggiri, Mahkota, and earlier in Pelangai state seats shows the hard work of the machinery at the state, division, and national levels,' he said. BN successfully defended the Ayer Kuning state seat after its candidate, Dr. Mohamad Yusri Bakir, 54, won the by-election with an increased majority. He secured a majority of 5,006 votes by garnering a total of 11,065 votes in a three-cornered fight, defeating Abdul Muhaimin Malek of Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia's Bawani KS.