A new survey shows that Malaysia's Pakatan Harapan (PH) government is losing popularity with the country's biggest ethnic group.

According to Malaysian Insight, the poll was conducted by Ilham Centre and think tank Penang Institute between October and December 2018.

A total of 2,614 Malay respondents were polled, and the results might make Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his PH allies worried.

Not satisfied with PH

Some 59.5 percent of those surveyed disagreed that they were satisfied with the performance of the PH since they were voted into power in May 2018.

Only 40.8 percent were satisfied.

Continuing the theme, 54.4 percent agreed that the PH was "ignoring" Malay rights and Islamic interests.

Some 58.3 percent believed that the government was "not serious" about dealing with the cost of living, while 58.9 percent believe that the government was being driven by a "liberal agenda".

Some 50.1 percent felt that the government was "not serious" about fulfilling the promises in its election manifesto, echoing what Mahathir said in August 2018.

Non-Muslims control the federal government?

More worrying numbers reflected potential disharmony within the ranks of the PH.

Some 62 percent agreed that the Democratic Action Party, a component party of PH and one associated with the Chinese community, was "dominating" government decisions over the other parties.

Perhaps not coincidentally, an almost identical number of 62.9 percent agreed that "non-Muslims" controlled the federal government following the general election.

Rising tensions between the majority ethnic Malays and the minority communities in Malaysia have led to a number of public clashes.

A riot broke out over a property dispute over the Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu temple in Selangor, in November 2018.

And a massive rally was held in Kuala Lumpur in December 2018 to protest the proposed adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

The opposition Barisan Nasional also beat PH in a Cameron Highlands by-election on Jan. 26, in a campaign largely dominated by Malay-Muslim issues.

Anwar's next

Despite this, there is at least one reason that might give the PH cause for cheer, or at least those who support the man likely to take over from Mahathir: Anwar Ibrahim.

A slim majority of 53.6 percent of respondents disagreed that Mahathir should serve a full five-year-term as prime minister, instead he should step down in favour of someone else.

Some 51.9 percent agreed that Anwar was the best person to take over from Mahathir.

Anwar recently came out with a show of support for Mahathir, saying that they had agreed on a number of "key strategies" on government policy.

Related stories:

Top image from Shahrir Abd Aziz's Facebook page.

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