Image Credit: Anwar Ibrahim FB
KUALA LUMPUR, June 25: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains the country’s most favoured political leader with a 52 per cent approval rating, according to the latest Merdeka Centre survey released today.
The survey, which was carried out between March 12 and April 9 this year, also found that 42 per cent of Malaysian voters continue to believe that the country is moving in the right direction despite growing international uncertainties and economic challenges.
Merdeka Centre in a statement today, said the percentage is unchanged from the figures recorded in December 2025 and February 2026.
“Across ethnic groups, 39 per cent of Malay respondents said the country is moving in the right direction, compared to 50 per cent among Chinese respondents and 33 per cent among Indian respondents.
“By age group, respondents aged between 21 and 30 recorded the highest positive sentiment at 57 per cent, while those aged 51 to 60 were the least optimistic at just 32 per cent,” the statement said.
In terms of overall approval of the Federal Government, 50 per cent of respondents expressed satisfaction, while 48 per cent said they were dissatisfied.
Across ethnic groups, both Muslim and non-Muslim Bumiputera respondents from Sabah and Sarawak registered the highest satisfaction levels at 68 per cent, followed by Chinese respondents at 53 per cent.
Satisfaction among Indian and Malay respondents stood at 46 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively.
By age group, satisfaction was highest among younger respondents aged 21 to 30, with 64 per cent expressing approval of the federal government.
According to the survey, support for institutional reforms remains strong, with substantial backing recorded for proposals to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to a maximum of two terms or ten years, separate the roles of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor, and introduce direct elections for the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur.
“It should be noted that support for these political reforms showed little variation between Malay and non-Malay respondents, indicating that these proposals have gained broad cross-ethnic support,” it said.
The survey involved 1,209 voters comprising 51 per cent Malay, 27 per cent Chinese, eight per cent Indian, seven per cent Muslim Bumiputra and seven per cent non-Muslim Bumiputra (from Sabah and Sarawak), through telephone interviews using stratified random sampling to reflect Malaysia’s electoral demographics.
— BERNAMA