Vodus study puts Anwar ahead of PM hopefuls with highest acceptance and first-choice support

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was also the most widely recognised figure in the study, with 93 per cent familiarity among respondents aware of the candidates. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Thursday, 17 Sep 2026 5:19 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emerged as the strongest overall candidate for the prime ministership in a new national study by Vodus Research, recording the highest public acceptance, first-choice support and net acceptance among five prominent prospective candidates.

The Malaysia Prime Minister Candidate Study 2026 found that 46 per cent of respondents aware of the candidates said they would accept Anwar as prime minister, while 34 per cent named him as their first choice.

His net acceptance score stood at +19 percentage points, also the highest among the five candidates surveyed.

Anwar was also the most widely recognised figure in the study, with 93 per cent familiarity among respondents aware of the candidates.

His support was particularly strong in East Malaysia, where 41 per cent of respondents selected him as their top choice, compared with 28 per cent in Peninsular Malaysia.

Vodus Research founder Kelvin Goh said the findings showed that public assessments of potential national leaders went beyond a simple popularity contest, with familiarity, favourability, acceptability and first-choice support representing distinct measures.

“Anwar’s stronger support in East Malaysia may partly reflect his administration’s greater focus on Sabah and Sarawak, including progress on MA63-related matters, Sabah’s revenue entitlements, and Sarawak’s greater control over its resources,” he said in a statement. 

“These moves have kept federal delivery, state rights, and fiscal fairness highly visible in the region, which may have strengthened perceptions of Anwar’s leadership there.”

Khairy Jamaluddin recorded 32 per cent acceptance and a net acceptance score of +15 percentage points, while Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi registered 17 per cent acceptance and +6 points.

Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar recorded 13 per cent acceptance, while Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli had 17 per cent acceptance and a net acceptance score of -3 points.

The study also found that Anwar’s first-choice support was more than twice that of Khairy, who recorded 14 per cent, while Onn Hafiz and Rafizi each registered eight per cent and Samsuri six per cent.

On personal favourability, however, Khairy recorded the highest net favourability score at +51 points, followed by Samsuri at +44, Onn Hafiz at +43, Anwar at +39 and Rafizi at +32.

Among those who viewed Anwar favourably, respondents most often cited his ability to grow the economy and create opportunities, as well as his experience in leading Malaysia, handling foreign affairs, attracting foreign investment and governance.

Across the study, economic growth and opportunities, a clear vision for Malaysia, strong and capable leadership, and improving Malaysians’ living standards were among the recurring factors respondents associated with favourable views of political figures.

The study involved 1,482 Malaysian adults aged 18 and above nationwide, with fieldwork conducted from Aug 18 to Sept 1.

Vodus said the findings represented a snapshot of public views during the fieldwork period and were not an electoral forecast or endorsement of any candidate or political party.