KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak is the people’s top choice for prime minister, according to a survey carried out by Universiti Malaya (UM) at 12 parliamentary constituencies between July and December last year.
In the survey, which was conducted ahead of the upcoming 14th General Election, 21 per cent of respondents wanted Najib to remain as prime minister, while another 18 per cent gave Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad their support.
Dr Mahathir is Pakatan Harapan chairman and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman. He was also prime minister from 1981 to 2003.
Pakatan Harapan de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is expected to be released from prison on June 11, came in third with 10 per cent, followed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (9 per cent) and Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (7 per cent).
The survey’s chief researcher, Associate Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, said the result was clear indication that Najib commanded strong support from the people.
“Many of the respondents feel that Najib and the government have solid plans for the people. On the other hand, the opposition has yet to convince the people about what it can do for them,” he told the New Straits Times when contacted today.
He said a detailed report of the survey would be made available to the public by the end of the month.
“We are in the midst of completing the report and the poll is only one of many parts of the survey,” he said, adding that another survey would be carried next week until March.
He said unlike the first phase, in which only 12 parliamentary constituencies were involved, the second phase would see the involvement of voters from rural seats.
He said the third phase of the survey would be carried out from April to July if GE14 was not called by march. The national election must be held by Aug 24.