KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition lost a closely watched by-election on Saturday.

PH failed to retain the parliamentary seat of Tanjung Piai in the state of southern Johor from former ruling coalition and now opposition Barisan Nasional (BN).

According to the Election Commission, BN took the seat with a majority of about 13,000 votes, after having lost it to PH by mere 524 votes in the general elections in May last year, in a significant swing by voters.

The by-election was called following the passing away of a previous member of parliament from PH in September and was the ninth by-election since the general elections.

The latest electoral setback came even after the PH administration approved fundings for the district and intensified campaigning by the PH coalition's top brass including Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.