Anwar enjoyed 88% Chinese support in state polls, but 24% from Malays, survey finds

A survey conducted by the think tank Ilham Centre revealed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim received strong support from the Chinese community, with 88% of Chinese respondents indicating their support. This was followed by 81% support from the Indian community. Anwar’s support from other ethnic groups stood at 75%, while he only had 24% backing from Malays. Overall, Anwar enjoyed 42% support from all Malaysians in the six states where elections were recently held: Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Kelantan.

According to the survey, Anwar received 27% support in Kedah, 21% in Terengganu, and 10% in Kelantan. In contrast, Anwar enjoyed 70% support in Penang, as well as 62% support in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.

Ilham Centre’s executive director, Muhamad Hisommudin Bakar, noted that the survey revealed divided views based on race and localities. He mentioned that Perikatan Nasional had the support of PAS-held states and state seats with a Malay majority. Muhamad Hisommudin also stated that Perikatan’s messages and narratives were dominant in influencing voters in Malay-majority areas.

He also commented on the government’s Malaysia Madani concept, stating that it was on the right track but required increased efforts to explain it comprehensively to the people. The survey indicated that only 45% of respondents understood the Malaysia Madani concept, with the highest understanding in Penang at 63%, followed by Negri Sembilan at 56% and Kedah at 52%.

Muhamad Hisommudin further highlighted that Perikatan dominated the TikTok platform during the campaign for the six state polls, suggesting that the unity government’s narrative was drowned out by Perikatan’s narrative.

He emphasized the importance for Anwar and his team to change current political trends, which were favoring Perikatan. If this trend continues, he warned that Perikatan could secure seats from Umno, as well as mixed seats held by PKR and Amanah.

The survey conducted by Ilham Centre involved polling 2,416 respondents in the six states from July 11-27. The final phase of the survey included 2,304 respondents from the same states between July 29 and August 8.