SHAH ALAM – The latest Merdeka Center survey has reinforced perceptions that Pas possesses one of the most influential political figures among Malay voters, with Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, better known as Dr Sam, emerging as one of the country’s most positively viewed leaders ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).
Sociopolitical analyst Dr Nik Mawardi Mohamed said the findings suggest that Dr Sam’s appeal extends beyond Pas’ traditional support base, reflecting the party’s growing influence within the Malay political landscape.
According to him, the survey indicates that Pas has successfully developed a leader who is able to attract support from a broader segment of voters while continuing to enjoy strong backing from the party’s core supporters.
“In the Merdeka Center survey, Dr Sam recorded a satisfaction rate of 48 per cent and a dissatisfaction rate of 26 per cent among Malay voters.
“In comparison with key leaders from other political coalitions, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recorded 45 per cent satisfaction and 51 per cent dissatisfaction, while Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi registered 31 per cent satisfaction against 60 per cent dissatisfaction,” he said in a statement.
Nik said the figures place Dr Sam among the national leaders with stronger levels of public acceptance compared with several prominent political figures.
He attributed this to Dr Sam’s reputation as an administrator focused on governance and state development, at a time when many political leaders are frequently associated with disputes and political controversies.
The analyst said Malay voters are increasingly placing greater emphasis on a leader’s competence, integrity and credibility rather than relying solely on party labels when making political assessments.
He added that the survey findings could have wider implications for the political landscape ahead of GE16, particularly in relation to Pas’ bargaining position in future political negotiations or realignments.
“In any negotiation, the most important foundation is the ability to win. The current situation shows that Pas possesses increasingly strong political capital, not only through its electoral performance but also through the acceptance of its key leaders.
“Pas now controls many Malay-majority parliamentary seats and several strategic states, while figures such as Dr Sam have succeeded in building a more positive image than many other mainstream political leaders,” he said.
Nik concluded that future political influence can no longer be measured purely through a party’s history or brand strength, but increasingly through how well individual leaders are received by the public.