Malay support for Anwar as PM remains weak, says pollster

Bede Hong Bede Hong Updated 6 years ago · Published on 5 Jan 2020 7:30PM · 8 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad latest approval ratings across all ethnic groups stands at 42% while Anwar Ibrahim's is at 32%. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, January 5, 2020.

SUPPORT from Malay voters for Anwar Ibrahim remained weak compared to Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a survey by Merdeka Centre found.

In a national survey carried out between November 22 and 29 last year, the pollster asked respondents which of the two they would prefer to lead the country in the future.

Fifty-eight per cent of Malay respondents said they preferred Dr Mahathir, an increase from 42% the prime minister enjoyed a year ago.

In comparison, just 13% of Malay respondents said they preferred Anwar, a decline from 31% a year prior.

Conversely, Anwar enjoys better support among non-Malays. 

As of November, 58% of Chinese respondents and 62% of Indian respondents said they preferred the PKR president to lead the country.

This is an increase of 26% and 18% respectively from the year prior.

In comparison, just 20% of Chinese respondents and 14% of Indian respondents picked Dr Mahathir, a decline from 71% and 53% respectively, from a year prior.

Overall, Dr Mahathir enjoyed support from 42% of respondents across all ethnic groups with Anwar receiving support from 32% of respondents, as of November.

The survey, published in Merdeka Centre’s Malaysia Political Developments and Trajectories Update in January did not state how many respondents were involved and where they were from.

In another question, 41% of respondents preferred Dr Mahathir to remain prime minister until the next general election. However, 50% said he should step down, with 25% saying he should step down immediately, while 25% said he should step down by May this year.

Dr Mahathir has said he is committed to the transfer of power, perhaps after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit at the end of this year.

Merdeka Centre also said the prime minister transition has raised uncertainties over the nature, timing and outcome of the transfer of power from Dr Mahathir to Anwar.

The report noted “increase internal dynamics and friction” between the two leaders, leading to “increased speculation and suspicion.”

As of November 22, just 20% of respondents across all ethnic groups felt the country was moving in the right direction, down from a peak of 64% in June 2018.

“Voter sentiments across the board have continued a gradual slide over sensationalised public issues during the past six months: Jawi lessons in vernacular schools, and statements on civil servants’ pension scheme and critical allowances, arrests of DAP lawmakers for alleged LTTE links, and increased public debate on race and religious matters,” the report noted. – January 5, 2020.

 


 

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Comments

  • Sudahlah Meedeka Centre

    Posted 6 years ago by Penganalisa L · Reply

  • This is not something unusual. An incumbent has advantages. Once Anwar becomes PM his popularity will increase significantly.

    Posted 6 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

  • No merits to.merdeka center

    Posted 6 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply

  • Nonsense ! That is not true. PH was started on the basis that Malaysia will be a new Malaysia. Even the Malays wanted it because of the rampant corruption of Malay politicians in UMNO. Now we have DR M stirring up Malay supremacy and promoting Islam vs the rest of the other races and religion. This is bad for Malaysia-every race knows that. Anwar Ibrahaim can bring in what Malaysia needs. We dont want the Hishamuddin's or
    the Mukhriz Mahathir family members coming onto Malaysia. This dynasty nonsense must stop.

    The Malay population know that if DR M has his own way, UMNO will be reborn with another name. Malaysia will go back to the corruption and down that slippery slope. Freedoms that you will have in a democratic country will be gone. It is no wonder that thousands of Malays in Australia, NZ, Canada, UK and the USA dont want to come back. They fear that Malaysia will become another Pakistan, Bangladesh....where people will be subjected to norms unseen in democratic nations. Voe Anwar Ibrahim!

    Posted 6 years ago by Jimmy Bonds · Reply

    • Anyway, many Malay muslims overseas especially their children have lost their identity as Malays. Infact, I spoke to one Malay child who says he cant understand why all the school girls are wearing hijabs in Malaysia-He asked me if they understood religion or pressured by the government or by Muslim peers. Religion must be free to choose, not dictated by birth-that was the answer of this young malay Muslim boy. Time that government stop playing god's police man like the Taliban.

      Posted 6 years ago by Jimmy Bonds · Reply

  • The Merdeka center is the least credible group I have ever encountered in my research as a political scientist. The information that they dispense over the years is slanted and should never be trusted. Look at their funding-where does it come from. These are UMNO and Bersatu cronies. Dont believe this garbage.

    Posted 6 years ago by Abdul Rasheed · Reply

  • DR Mahathir told civil servants during their monthly gathering at the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya today. In his speech, Mahathir said the government, including ministers and civil servants, need to impress upon the poor that they cannot be uplifted through mere subsidies and assistance.

    "Why are they poor? Because they are unproductive and do not contribute to society in a way where society would repay them," he added.

    In Malaysia, the rich became rich through patronage, handouts to cronies and corruption....where are the billions lost since 1980. In Sarawak, the former Chief Minister is still around and not in jail despite the enormous amount of evidence of corruption. Our anti-corruption is legless and has only Najib and cronies to ivestigate because DR M wants a scapegoat for 2020 failures. DR M and childrens wealth came from where-BILLIONAIRE children.

    Posted 6 years ago by Abdul Rasheed · Reply

  • Merdeka Centre?...the very same ones who predicted the THIEF and party to win the General election???

    Posted 6 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply