PM Anwar Ibrahim's Approval Rating Falls By 18%, Merdeka Center Finds
Anwar's approval rating is currently at 50%.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 23 Nov 2023, 01:30 PM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's personal approval rating has dipped to 50%, Merdeka Center finds in its recent survey
48% of Malaysians surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of Anwar's government.
The independent pollster said the decline in support for Anwar's administration is largely due to concerns about Malaysia's economy
"In our view, the movements in voter sentiments are largely driven by their concerns over the economy and how it affects their livelihoods. Only 31% of the voters think the country is heading in the right direction, while 60% think it is heading in the wrong direction," Merdeka Center said.
"The major reasons for the wrong direction are economic issues (56%), political instability (13%), and poor administration (9%)," it added.
78% of Malaysians said economic growth topped their list of concerns
Many see Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, as responsible for steering Malaysia's economy.
Around 1,220 registered voters were surveyed by telephone from 4 October to 24 October in proportions reflective of the national electoral profile.
Random stratified sampling was used to select respondents along four categories: age group, ethnicity, gender, and state constituency.
Anwar's rating fell by 18% since he came into power in December 2022
Merdeka Center said the survey reflects the expectations held by Malaysian voters on Anwar's government to regenerate economic growth as well as address longstanding anxiety over inflation and stagnant wage growth.
"Other issues that will shape public opinion into the future will include the form and substance of potential subsidies withdrawal, new taxation, as well as revamp in the cash transfers programme," Merdeka Center said, alluding to the recent Budget 2024 announcements made by Anwar.
