Between Nov. 27 and Dec. 10, the Merdeka Center polled 1, 207 registered citizens across the nation. The participant combine was 52 per share Malay, 29 per cent Chinese, 7 per cent Indian, 6 per cent Muslim bumiputera and 6 per cent non-Muslim bumiputera.
More responders, according to the most recent research, think that Anwar has boosted Malaysia’s reputation, attracted foreign traders, and taught efficiency and dignity in the civil service.
When asked if Anwar was “working hard to strengthen the people’s business,” the responses were practically middle-class.
On the other hand, 39 per cent of them said they were dissatisfied with Anwar’s achievement as of end-November 2024, along from 43 per cent a year ago.
Co-founder and program director of the Merdeka Center Ibrahim Suffian described concerns over economic forces as a “persistent” problem, in part because many Malay continue to struggle with rising living costs.
” Although earnings have slowly improved since the COVID-19 time, costs have gone away and many also feel that need to expand their ringgit”, he told CNA.
” Also, these things take time to be realized and trickle down to the average person, while people are optimistic about the investment commitments generated during the PM’s outings abroad.”
ECONOMY, INFLATION TOP VOTERS ‘ Problems
On Dec 22, Anwar summed up his government’s financial efforts in a Facebook article titled” 2024 Features: Soaring Economy, Abundant Prosperity”.
The premier touted the RM254.7 billion ( US$ 56.7 billion ) in approved digital investments from January to September 2024, saying this was expected to create 159, 000 new jobs.
His administration’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 has even led to a 4.7 per cent increase in the manufacturing industry’s added value to the country’s private total solution, amounting to RM4.2 billion.
He wrote,” The Madani government has implemented various plans to continue improving the economy throughout this year for the prosperity of the people and the country.”
Despite this, a large majority of respondents to the Merdeka Center survey said they were concerned about the economy and believed that Malaysia was heading in the wrong direction.
Most of them cited “unfavourable economic condition in general” as the reason, followed by high costs of living, minimum income and weakening of the ringgit.
Anwar may have managed the economy fairly well, but local residents still experience the pinch from rising costs, according to Azmi Hassan, a senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research.
” The problem is, people are thinking- right now- the prices of goods are very high, their income seems to be static, and business is not growing”.
Of those who said Malaysia was going in the wrong direction, other reasons given were weak administration, politics, leadership and racial issues, the study found.
” Issues driving voter motivations remain unchanged: The economy and inflation”, the study said.
While concerns over political instability have evaporated, there is a slight rise in concerns over identity politics, specifically the protection of Malay rights, the study noted.
ANWAR’S APPROVAL RATING REBOUNDS
Since he took office in November 2022, Anwar has generally maintained a favorable approval rating.
He started out with a 68 % approval rating, but this dropped to 50 % at the end of his first year, largely as a result of concerns about the economy and how it affected livelihoods, according to Merdeka Center at the time.
Anwar’s rating dropped to its lowest point of 43 % in June 2024, the only month it fell below 50 %, before regaining its 54 % as of the end of November.
Because the survey was conducted ahead of timed delivery as part of government efforts to reduce diesel subsidies, Ibrahim claimed, the rating dropped to a low in June.
” There was anxiety over the effect that might have had on consumer goods and services, alas that didn’t materialise or have a deep impact”, he said.
According to Azmi, the decline may be a result of spattering perceptions since early 2024 about Anwar’s alleged failure to carry out his promised institutional reforms.