PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said internal polls showed Anwar Ibrahim’s popularity had surged in November last year after taking over as prime minister and only declined in May, when the ringgit depreciated.

The Pandan lawmaker said its findings showed a slight increase in Anwar’s popularity in July and August after Putrajaya launched several policy papers.

He cited the Madani Economy, the National Energy Transition Roadmap, the New Industrial Master Plan and the mid-term review on the 12th Malaysian Plan as examples.

“Based on this survey, which guided PKR since 2016 till the formation of the government, it reflected a status quo situation,” Rafizi was quoted as telling the media at a press conference at the PKR annual national congress at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre this morning.

The economy minister was responding to Independent pollster Merdeka Center’s survey which found that Anwar’s approval rating has slipped to 50% amid rising concern over Malaysia’s economy.

The survey – held from October 4 to 24 involving 1,220 voters nationwide – showed that 41% of them were disappointed with the federal government’s performance, while 7% said they were angry.

In response, Anwar said the survey had 1,200 respondents which was not reflective of Malaysia’s 32 million population.

Rafizi said that PKR believed that the unity government under Anwar’s leadership was stable.

“Looking at all elements, the unity government is rock solid and public approval rating is increasing, albeit not incrementally.

“The Opposition is in tatters because I don’t think Perikatan Nasional can maintain the momentum it had before,” he said.

“All eggs were placed in one basket, where the only bet they had in the last year was that the government would fall.

“By now, even your own crowd will feel ‘let’s be pragmatic, it is not going to happen’” he said.

He noted the internal instability within Bersatu, where four of its lawmakers had switched allegiances to Anwar recently, would inevitably affect PAS’ support for the opposition. – November 25, 2023.