Anwar’s popularity dives before anniversary as Malaysia’s economy weighs

SUPPORT for Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has fallen in less than a year of being in power, as concerns over the economy dominate voters’ minds.

The premier’s approval rating has dropped to 50 per cent, from 68 per cent in December, according to the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research. The survey, which was conducted from Oct 4 till Oct 24, also showed dissatisfaction over the government’s handling of the economy climbed to 43 per cent from 19 per cent. 

The ruling coalition’s rating has declined to 41 per cent from 54 per cent, with 78 per cent of voters citing economic concerns as the biggest issue that they face.

Even though Anwar has a supermajority in Parliament that no Malaysian leader has obtained since 2008, he has spent his first year being tentative about undoing hefty subsidies and broadening government revenue – unpopular measures that were seen necessary but tricky amid political volatility and rising right-wing fundamentalism.

“The survey reflects the expectations held by the electorate on the administration to regenerate economic growth as well as address longstanding anxiety over inflation and tepid wage growth,” Merdeka Center said in a statement on Wednesday (Nov 22). BLOOMBERG