CYBERJAYA, April 16 -- Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad played down Pakatan Harapan's (PH) latest by-election defeat in Rantau last week, saying the result was not unexpected.

Stressing that it did not change the balance of power in the state, Dr Mahathir also said the electorate would on occasion use such polls to express their sentiments as there was little risk involved.

"Sometimes government parties, during by-elections, will not get a lot of support because there will be no change in the government.

"They (the voters) know, whatever happens in the by-election, whether the government party wins or not, they government remains the same, and here the government is still Pakatan Harapan," Dr Mahathir said.

In the by-election la...