THE country’s economic performance under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was the top concern of nearly every participant of a Merdeka Centre poll.

The nationwide survey, held from October 4 to 24 involving 1,220 voters of all ethnicities, showed a whopping 78%, or almost four out of five people, said the country’s economic performance was their biggest concern.

The survey showed the top five concerns were unfavourable general economic conditions, high living costs, the weak ringgit, the minimum income level and economic development.

In the poll, 84.1% of Muslim Bumiputeras, 81.2% of Indians, 81.1% of Malays, 79.5% of non-Muslim Bumiputeras and 69.3% of Chinese respondents said economic woes were the country’s biggest problem.

The survey also showed 60% of voters felt the country was going in the wrong direction, while only 31% felt it was heading the right way.

Other reasons voters felt the country was being steered in the wrong direction was political instability, poor administration, weak leadership and racial inequality.

On a positive note, the majority of voters who felt the country was heading in the right direction cited good administrators as a reason, followed by strong leadership, good politics and the government’s fight against corruption.

The unity government was formed in November last year after Anwar gained the support of lawmakers from Barisan Nasional and Sabah and Sarawak parties.

Anwar enjoys a strong two-thirds majority in parliament with the backing of 151 MPs, including four from Bersatu. – November 22, 2023.