Anwar finds little Malay support as next PM

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 6 years ago · Published on 2 Aug 2019 7:00AM · 1 Comments

PKR president and Port Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim is slated to take over as prime minister from Dr Mahathir Mohamad but few Malays want him as the next PM. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 2, 2019.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim received less than half the support of Malays in a recent poll on whether he could boost Pakatan Harapan’s chances among this ethnic group and as successor to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The findings were presented by PKR-linked think-tank Institut Darul Ehsan (IDE) at the party’s recent retreat in Port Dickson from July 19 to 21.

The slides obtained by The Malaysian Insight show that only 44% of Malays agreed that the prime minister-designate could strengthen Malay-Muslim support for the ruling coalition.

Respondents of other races showed more confidence in Anwar to improve Malay sentiments for PH: Chinese (62%) and Indians (57%) answering positively.

The survey – 2019 Survey Malaysia: Mood of the Nation – polled 1,597 people and was conducted June 28-30.

In terms of the overall number, the respondents were split equally on whether Anwar could improve PH’s standing among Malays.

Who are the favourites to succeed Dr Mahathir were also presented at the PKR retreat.

Among Malays, Anwar only received 37% support. This was lower compared with the overall sentiment of all respondents combined at 45%.

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Bersatu president, received 21% support from Malay respondents, and overall support of 16%.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, implicated in a sex video and embroiled in an internal squabble with Anwar, received the least support from Malay respondents at 8%. His overall support was 11%.

Anwar is to succeed Dr Mahathir under an agreement between all PH parties.

The coalition took power in a change of federal government for the first time in Malaysia’s history in the general election last year but won less than 30% of Malay votes.

It has been fighting for Malay support and has angered Malay groups over several decisions regarding appointments of non-Malays to key positions.

In a similar poll conducted by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research in June, Dr Mahathir’s popularity level among Malays was 50%, Chinese (77%) and Indians (74%). – August 2, 2019.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • For any government to be successful and sustainable, the government must harp on good policies...not on race. It is a waste of time to be racial and after 60 years, the history repeats itself one more time and we end with another failed government and a new race related struggle...No end isn't it?

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply