KUALA LUMPUR – Approval ratings for Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have risen by 4 percentage points to 54% over the past year, according to a Merdeka Centre survey released on Dec 23. While voters expressed satisfaction with his efforts to attract foreign investments, enhance the civil service, and improve Malaysia’s global image, his handling of economic challenges received mixed reviews.
The survey, conducted from Nov 27 to Dec 10 with 1,207 registered voters, revealed that 65% of respondents still view the economy as the country’s top issue. Concerns about the high cost of living, low wages, unemployment, and a weakening ringgit persist, though the figure marks a decline from 74% recorded in November 2023.
Rising living costs, partly driven by subsidy cuts and utility rate hikes, have fueled discontent among voters, as evidenced by the ruling coalition’s loss in the Sungai Bakap state by-election in July. Despite this, the government’s overall approval rating rose to 51% from 46% last year, attributed to delayed subsidy cuts, salary increases for civil servants, and successful foreign investment efforts.
Analysts describe the 54% approval rating as encouraging but caution that Anwar must focus on wage growth, cost-of-living pressures, and institutional reforms to maintain momentum. Sociopolitical experts emphasized that resolving economic concerns is critical for bolstering public trust and ensuring the government’s long-term political stability.