KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's approval rating has increased to 54 per cent in the second year of his administration, marking a four per cent increase, according to a Merdeka Center survey.
The research house found that Anwar's efforts to attract foreign investors were particularly well received, followed by his work in enhancing Malaysia's global image, improving the civil service and addressing economic issues.
"At the same time, the federal government's approval rating rose to 51 per cent, up from 46 per cent in November 2023," said Merdeka Center.
The survey assessed the government's performance based on eight criteria, including fostering economic growth, tackling the rising cost of living, promoting integrity, combating corruption and improving ethnic relations.
Respondents showed satisfaction with the government's efforts across most parameters, with approval ratings increasing by between two per cent and 12 per cent.
However, satisfaction with efforts to improve ethnic relations remained unchanged at 51 per cent.
Conducted between Nov 27 and Dec 10, the survey gathered responses from 1,207 registered voters.
The respondents comprised 52 per cent Malays, 29 per cent Chinese, seven per cent Indians, and six per cent each for Muslim Bumiputera and non-Muslim Bumiputera.
Merdeka Center said dissatisfaction with the federal government stood at 47 per cent.
"The narrow margin between positive and negative perceptions is largely influenced by ongoing concerns over cost-of-living pressures and apprehensions about upcoming subsidy cuts," it added.
The survey also found that 53 per cent of respondents believed the country was heading in the wrong direction, though this was a slight improvement of one per cent from the previous year.
The main reasons cited for this view were economic challenges, mentioned by 47 per cent of respondents, poor governance by eight per cent, and political instability by seven per cent.
Meanwhile, the percentage of voters who felt Malaysia was moving in the right direction increased modestly to 39 per cent, up from 36 per cent in November last year.