SLIM POLLS | Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir was in solemn mood as he reflected upon the reasons for the humiliating defeat suffered by independent candidate Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi in the Slim by-election today.

"It is a habit of non-Malay voters to support the government candidate in by-elections.

"This is because any allocation at the state or federal level will continue to be channelled (if the incumbent wins)," Mukhriz said at a press conference in Slim River tonight.