KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 – Malaysia’s opposition held on for a narrow win in a state seat by-election in one of its strongholds on Tuesday as the country’s new prime minister saw his approval ratings surge.

The Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), one of three parties in the opposition People’s Alliance, held on to the Manik Urai constituency in the northeastern Malay heartland state of Kelantan with a majority of just 65 votes, down from a majority of 1,352 in the 2008 general and state elections.