Anwar says top approval rating is no excuse for complacency, vows to work harder

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today that being ranked Malaysia’s most popular political leader should not make him complacent, adding that public approval must instead spur him to improve his government’s performance.

According to Utusan Malaysia, Anwar said praise from the public should motivate leaders to work harder rather than become comfortable with their achievements.

“Instead, it (the recognition) should serve as a catalyst to continue improving our performance and working even harder for the people. Alhamdulillah, I’ve heard about those findings, Alhamdulillah,” he was quoted as saying after Friday prayers at Masjid Jameatus Solehah in Dengkil.

“But I always say, in the spirit of islah ma istata’tu (making improvements to the best of our ability), that we must continue striving to improve our performance.

“We must always try to do our best, work harder, and never become carried away by praise.”

Anwar was responding to a recent Merdeka Center survey that found he had the highest approval rating among Malaysia’s political leaders, with a positive rating of 52 per cent.

The survey, conducted between March 12 and April 9, also found that 42 per cent of Malaysian voters believed the country was on the right track despite global uncertainty and current economic challenges.

According to Merdeka Center, that figure was unchanged from surveys conducted in December 2025 and February 2026.

By ethnicity, Muslim and non-Muslim Bumiputera respondents in Sabah and Sarawak recorded the highest satisfaction level at 68 per cent, followed by Chinese respondents at 53 per cent. 

Indian and Malay respondents registered satisfaction ratings of 46 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.