Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said BN is more confident of its chances in the next general election following is major victory in the Tenang by-election.

"We are more confident with each passing day. Although we know we still need to work more," he said at the Labis District Council multipurpose hall, shortly after results were announced.

However, Muhyiddin said that BN still needs to put in more work before snap polls can be called.

"But we are not thinking that we are okay, or that we have reached a point that we can face elections any time," he said.

Asked on BN's failure to meet the 5,000 vote majority target that he set for the Tenang by-election, Muhyiddin brushed it off as his method to motivate the vote canvassers.

Muhyiddin said that he was "satisfied and proud" with the 3,707 majority attained by BN.

“In my view this is another election result that reflects the confidence from voters of all races towards the Prime Minister and BN chairperson (Najib Abdul Razak), as well as Johor Mentri Besar (Abdul Ghani Othman).”

It proved that the government policies, 1Malaysia concept, economic and government transformation plans by the prime minister and his effort to improve the people living standard were well received by the voters, he said.

He said that this momentum will continue during the Merlimau by-election scheduled for March 6.

Abdul Ghani, who was present at the press conference, concurred with Muhyiddin, adding that the Tenang results shows that BN is still a force to be reckoned with in Johor.

“It is not 300 but 3,700,” he stressed.

Tipping point

A beaming Muhyiddin described the Tenang by-election as the "tipping point" for the Chinese community, claiming that they are now supportive of BN.

“In 2004 general election, we lost three polling districts but this time we gained back two of the three. This is something very significant (for us) although the turnout rate of Chinese voters was low,” he added.

“There is a change of the Chinese voters’ attitude towards the government. The majority would increase should the turnout rate (of Chinese voters) is higher.”

Muhyiddin reasoned that the Chinese voters had returned to BN because they were a pragmatic community and they have benefitted from the BN's efforts and Najib's leadership.

On Indian voters, Muhyiddin said BN had managed to retain the same level of support as before.

“They cannot see any other party (that can look after their interest). The opposition had totally sidelined the Indians. Look at PKR, recently what happened to those who struggle for Indians rights?”

Although he did not mention any names, it was obvious he was referring to former PKR supreme council member and Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrisnan, who quit the party yesterday.

Johorean's support for PAS 'almost zero'

Muhyiddin also stressed that the Tenang results shows that Johor was still a BN and Umno stronghold.

“The Johoreans had never accept PAS since long time ago. This is proven again... We still can defend our fortress. The support for PAS in Johor is almost zero.”

Muhyiddin, who is BN's Tenang by-election commander-in-chief, dismissed claims that the government had placed politics above its duties for refusing to postpone the polls, that was marred by flooding and rainfall.

He claims that the government had managed to ferry people to their respective voting centres despite the deluge.

He said the government had done this to fulfil both its obligations - evacuating flood victims and ensuring their right to vote.

Muhyiddin said the government had succeeded because there were no accidents reported.