PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has a positive approval rating of 55% according to a recent survey conducted by research firm Merdeka Center.
It attributed this to several factors such as Malaysians feeling the country is on steadier ground, easing political turbulence and with Anwar now leading a government with a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
“Institutional reforms like the revived Parliamentary Services Act 2025 also signal a return to principled governance.
“In terms of the economy, government data indicates that inflation has cooled to just 1.4% in
March 2025, marking a three-year low, with economic growth hitting 4.4% in the first quarter.
“The minimum wage hike to RM1,700, combined with festive cash aid for civil servants and ongoing fuel subsidies, has helped ease some public frustration over the cost of living,” it said in a statement on Monday (June 23).
The survey, conducted in May, asked a total of 1,208 registered voters comprising Malays at 52%, Chinese (29%), Indians (7%), Muslim Bumiputra (6%), and Non-Muslim Bumiputra from Sabah and Sarawak (6%).
Respondents were selected based on a random stratified sampling along age group, ethnicity, gender and state constituency.
The Merdeka Center said Anwar had enhanced Malaysia’s global profile, referencing how the Prime Minister had hosted China President Xi Jinping and also Malaysia chairing Asean 2025.
“New investment deals, trade cooperation and leadership in Global South initiatives have bolstered his image at home.
“Still, bread-and-butter issues remain what moves the Malaysian public most,” it said, adding that the economy remains the public’s top concern.
It said the federal government’s rating stands at 50% as of May, compared to being only 40% in June last year.
“Dissatisfaction towards the federal government stands at 48% compared to 58% a year ago. The tight spread between positives and negatives is largely driven by persistent concerns about cost-of-living pressures and anxiety over subsidy cuts slated to take place,” it said.
The same survey revealed that 50% of voters felt the country was headed in the wrong direction, compared to 61% a year ago.
The number of voters who felt the country is heading in the right direction rose to 43% compared to being at 29% in June last year.
“Major reasons for the wrong direction remain focused on the trajectory of the national economy and the performance of the current administration,” it said.
