Apr 25: With only ten days to polling day, a new survey by University of Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections has revealed that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is the favourite for the post of prime minister, ahead of UMNO president Najib Razak.
The survey interviewed some 1,407 respondents in Peninsular Malaysia between the day parliament was dissolved (April 3) and nomination day on April 20.
UMCEDEL director Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman announced that Anwar garnered 43 per cent approval compared to Najib's 39 per cent, while the rest of the respondents were still undecided.
"Anwar's popularity increased after he launched his nationwide tour," said Redzuan.
Long before parliament's dissolution, Anwar had started his nationwide roadshow using his 'Jelajah Merdeka Rakyat' tour bus, which had since come under attack from mobs of UMNO supporters at several stops.
The survey, apart from showing that Anwar is currently the choice of first time voters, also revealed that 54 per cent Malay respondents support Anwar for the prime minister's post as opposed to 34 percent support for Najib.
The findings further showed that Pakatan Rakyat's manifesto enjoys slightly more support (42%) than BN's (38%), though a seizable number of those interviewed (22%) are still undecided.
One interesting finding by the survey is that only 11 per cent agreed that recent proliferation of pornographic materials accusing political opponents of illicit sex could sway their decision.
Redzuan added that the survey also found that most Chinese voters have by now made up their mind, although an earlier one showed them in the majority of fence-sitters.
However, Redzuan said nothing was final in the days leading to polling day.
"In the context of general election in Malaysia, anything can happen. In 10 days, anything can happen," he warned.
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