According to Prof Shaharuddin Badaruddin, a board member of the Selangor think tank, 51% of the 1,761 respondents believe the former opposition leader must be set free immediately.
Anwar is currently serving a five-year sentence after being found guilty of sodomising his former aide.
About 40% of the respondents also agree that Anwar should helm the country’s administration, while 44% feel the former deputy prime minister would be able to unite the opposition if freed.
Anwar, the survey noted, was also a more popular choice to lead the country compared with others, including former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“In conclusion, the survey reveals that Anwar is still a popular figure among Malaysians and his struggles, including those related to justice and democracy, are still relevant,” Shaharuddin said in a statement.
Yesterday, Sinar Harian had quoted National Council of Professors’ Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmood as stating it would be better for Pakatan Harapan to be more “realistic” and focus on issues affecting the people instead of just Anwar to garner support for the 14th general election.
The professor heads the council’s Governance, Law and Public Administration Cluster.
IDE’s findings also echo the sentiments of PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali who earlier today insisted Anwar was still relevant to the party as he was a symbol and victim of injustice.
Azmin, who is also the Selangor menteri besar, had also dismissed Nik Ahmad’s assertions stating that analysts could say anything they wanted.
Anwar, who PH had identified as PM should the opposition wrest Putrajaya from the BN, failed in his final attempt to use the courts to clear himself of his sodomy conviction after the Federal Court dismissed his review application two days ago.