The Malaysian Insight

SUPPORT from Malay voters for Anwar Ibrahim remained weak compared to Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a survey by Merdeka Centre found.

In a national survey carried out between November 22 and 29 last year, the pollster asked respondents which of the two they would prefer to lead the country in the future.

Fifty-eight per cent of Malay respondents said they preferred Dr Mahathir, an increase from 42% the prime minister enjoyed a year ago.

In comparison, just 13% of Malay respondents said they preferred Anwar, a decline from 31% a year prior.

Conversely, Anwar enjoys better support among non-Malays. 

As of November, 58% of Chinese respondents and 62% of Indian respondents said they preferred the PKR president to lead the country.

This is an increase of 26% and 18% respectively from the year prior.

In comparison, just 20% of Chinese respondents and 14% of Indian respondents picked Dr Mahathir, a decline from 71% and 53% respectively, from a year prior.

Overall, Dr Mahathir enjoyed support from 42% of respondents across all ethnic groups with Anwar receiving support from 32% of respondents, as of November.

The survey, published in Merdeka Centre’s Malaysia Political Developments and Trajectories Update in January did not state how many respondents were involved and where they were from.

In another question, 41% of respondents preferred Dr Mahathir to remain prime minister until the next general election. However, 50% said he should step down, with 25% saying he should step down immediately, while 25% said he should step down by May this year.

Dr Mahathir has said he is committed to the transfer of power, perhaps after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit at the end of this year.

Merdeka Centre also said the prime minister transition has raised uncertainties over the nature, timing and outcome of the transfer of power from Dr Mahathir to Anwar.

The report noted “increase internal dynamics and friction” between the two leaders, leading to “increased speculation and suspicion.”

As of November 22, just 20% of respondents across all ethnic groups felt the country was moving in the right direction, down from a peak of 64% in June 2018.

“Voter sentiments across the board have continued a gradual slide over sensationalised public issues during the past six months: Jawi lessons in vernacular schools, and statements on civil servants’ pension scheme and critical allowances, arrests of DAP lawmakers for alleged LTTE links, and increased public debate on race and religious matters,” the report noted. – January 5, 2020.