GEORGE TOWN: Public satisfaction with the government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has risen but remains below the 50% threshold, according to a nationwide survey conducted by Institut Masa Depan Malaysia (Masa).
The survey involved 1,604 respondents aged 18 and above in Peninsular Malaysia, with the largest age group being 31 to 40 years old (22%). Additionally, 41% of respondents were from the private sector, and 32% held a degree. The findings indicated that satisfaction with the government increased from 41% in June 2025 to 49% in December.
Approval of Anwar’s performance also rose during the same period, climbing from 33% to 46%. Concurrently, the share of those dissatisfied with his performance declined from 51% to 37%.
“Although there is an improvement in public sentiment towards the government and the Prime Minister, overall satisfaction levels remain below 50%,” the institute noted.
By ethnic breakdown, 58% of Chinese respondents reported being satisfied with the Prime Minister’s performance, followed by 42% of Indians and 40% of Malays.
Despite the improved ratings, the survey found that only 39% of respondents were content with the federal government’s efforts to address their primary concerns. The cost of living was identified as the top issue worrying Malaysians, cited by 42% of respondents, followed by corruption at 12%. Economic development and political stability each accounted for 9%, while issues related to ethnic rights, public welfare, and job opportunities were cited by 4% of respondents.
Regarding parliamentary performance, Masa reported that 36% of respondents were satisfied with government MPs, compared with 27% satisfied with opposition MPs.
Public opinion on the economy was mixed, with 50% of respondents indicating satisfaction with the country’s economic performance. However, only 41% expressed satisfaction with their personal income.
On policy matters, the institute found that 63% of respondents supported the rationalisation of the RON95 petrol subsidy, with 55% satisfied with the implementation method, which includes the use of identity cards and a monthly cap of 300 litres. This relatively positive sentiment towards the policy was likely influenced by the Budi Madani initiative, which provides subsidised RON95 petrol to eligible users to help alleviate the impact of rising living costs.
However, there was significant dissatisfaction with other measures: 75% of respondents were unhappy with the expansion of the Sales and Service Tax (SST), and 54% were dissatisfied with the new electricity tariff structure.
The survey also revealed that 49% of respondents supported the proposed Urban Renewal Act, while only 35% believed the Malaysia-United States Reciprocal Trade Agreement would undermine national sovereignty.
When asked about preferred candidates for Prime Minister following the 16th General Election, Khairy Jamaluddin led with 52% support, followed by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at 46%, Datuk Seri Najib Razak at 41%, Anwar at 39%, and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at 33%.
This survey was conducted between Nov 15 and Dec 19 of last year using telephone interviews based on random digit dialling and stratified random sampling across parliamentary constituencies in Peninsular Malaysia, with a margin of error of 2.45%
