RESIDENTS in Pakatan Harapan-led Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, and opposition Perikatan Nasional-ruled Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are deeply polarised when it comes to questions on the federal unity government and its Malaysia Madani policy, an Ilham Centre survey found.

The independent research firm’s survey on the popular acceptance of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim-led unity government and his key policy in the six states that are having their state elections, found that 58% of the respondents were not satisfied with the performance of the prime minister, with the Malays – 76% - the only race not satisfied with him.

The survey found 88% of Chinese, 81% Indians and 75% of other ethnic groups were satisfied with Anwar’s performance.

In a breakdown by state, respondents in opposition-ruled states were largely unhappy with his performance – 73% in Kedah, 79% in Kelantan and a whopping 90% in Kelantan.

As expected, the response from PH-ruled states were more positive with 70% of the respondents in Penang saying they are happy with Anwar’s performance to date, 62% in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.

On whether the country is on the right track under Anwar’s stewardship, 59% of the respondents said “No”.

In Kedah, 72% of them said “No”, 80% in Terengganu and nearly all the respondents – 93% - in Kelantan.

Again it was the opposite in PH-ruled states with 69% in Penang, Selangor (63%) and Negri Sembilan (56%) saying the country is on the right track under Anwar.

The survey also found that 60% of the respondents do not believe Anwar is capable of restoring the trust and confidence of the Malay people towards the federal government.

Some 78% of the Malay respondents say he won’t make it but the Chinese (87%), Indians (77%) and other ethnic minorities (75%) think otherwise.

By state, 75% of the respondents in Kedah, 94% in Kelantan and 81% in Terengganu said Anwar will not be able to convince the Malays to support the unity government.

In the three PH states, 68% of respondents in Penang, 74% in Selangor and 59% in Negri Sembilan, said he could. – August 10, 2023.