Who makes a better PM?
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim was the more popular choice to become the next prime minister than Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, according to a Merdeka Centre survey.
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim was the more popular choice to become the next prime minister than Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, according to a Merdeka Centre survey.
When both men were matched up on who was better to head the country - 40 percent went with Anwar, with Najib trailing at 34 percent.
A quarter of the respondents were undecided or unimpressed with both candidates.
In a separate question, 39 percent agreed that Najib would make a good premier, while 44 percent disagreed.
This was good news for the deputy prime minister as he has increased his approval ratings by five percent when compared to the last polls in July.
Anwar appeared to garner more support from non-Malays compared to Najib, which was primarily Malay.
"We included the question this time as the survey was being carried around Sept 16. Also, Anwar has been casting himself as the prime minister-in-waiting," said Ibrahim.
Sept 16 was Anwar's self-imposed deadline to take over the government.
A total of 1,002 persons were randomly polled between over two weeks between Sept 11 and 22.
US/Jews agent
Roughly consistent with the results of a survey conducted last month, only 15 percent said they believed in the allegation against Anwar of sexual misconduct whereas only 13 percent believed that he was a "sexual criminal".
Even though 21 percent were convinced he was an "agent of the US/Jews", it was easily negated by more than half respondents (51 percent) in belief that the PKR leader was both "a strong and visionary leader" and "a competent manager of the economy".Seventeen percent of Malays polled felt Anwar was a "sexual criminal", whilst only eight percent of the Chinese and one percent of the Indians sharing that sentiment.
The score was similar when it come to him being an agent of the "American/Jews", where a high 28 percent of Malays say 'yes' compared to only 12 and four percent of Chinese and Indians respectively.
When asked specifically on whether Najib would be a good prime minister - without comparing him with anyone - Malays gave him a 52 percent count, while garnering only 29 and 10 percent of Chinese and Indians respectively.
Questions on Abdullah
Things were not looking up for premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi - but neither were they looking down - as his approval numbers did not drop from July, even if they were not encouraging.
However he'll remain worried, as more Malaysians (21 percent) regard the political uncertainties presently clouding the country as their foremost concern, rising from the 10 percent two months ago.
Fifty percent said they are still most concerned over economic issues.
See full survey results [PDF version]
