Based on the party’s research, he said, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s popularity after a year of administration has surpassed that of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“Looking at Merdeka Center’s research, the evaluation of Anwar is better than what the previous prime ministers had received after being prime minister for a year.

“To get the real picture, we have to compare his popularity with the previous prime ministers,” he said at a press conference after officiating the PKR congress at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

Rafizi said Anwar’s administration is in good shape at the moment, based on its political stability and public support.

“I don’t think Perikatan Nasional can maintain the momentum they had before the general election, which was already on a downward trend.

“Their supporters, as well as the public, can see for themselves that this government won’t be toppled and will last all five years in power,” he said.

Last Wednesday, Merdeka Center released its findings that Anwar’s approval rating had dropped a year into his administration.

Comparing the results of its late October 2023 survey with its survey in December 2022, the research house said only half of Malaysian voters gave Anwar a positive rating, compared with the previous 68%.

Noting that the federal government’s rating presently stands at 41% compared with 54% in December, it also said that dissatisfaction, particularly over the economy had gone up to 43% from 19%.

Merdeka Center said its survey, which was self-funded, polled 1,220 registered voters, comprising 52% Malays, 29% Chinese, 7% Indians, 6% Muslim Bumiputeras and 6% non-Muslim Bumiputeras from Sabah and Sarawak to reflect the national electoral profile.