Hulu Selangor by-election - BN wins by majority of 1,725

BN - 24,997
PKR - 23,272
Majority -1,725
Spoilt votes - 731

BN has won big in Malay-majority areas, especially the Felda settlements. While PKR has won the Chinese-majority areas, its margin of victory in these areas is not big enough to compensate its loss in the Malay-majority areas. In addition, it appears that Indian voters have mostly returned to BN's folds.

At an already sombre gathering of about 300 PKR supporters at the Kuala Kubu Baru mini stadium, Zaid Ibrahim is seen shedding tears.

PM Najib Abdul Razak, says Zaid, spent RM64 million to ensure victory in Hulu Selangor.

This was the dirtiest and most corrupt by-election in Malaysian (history), with rampant vote buying, when "buying votes in daylight and in the dark have been accepted as halal," said the lawyer.

But still, said Zaid on an optimistic note, Pakatan lost only 1,725 votes.

"Unless we have a commission that stamps out blatant bribery - (which acts against people who say) we'll give you this much now and the rest later - then it will always be a hard fight," he said.