Najib, Anwar running neck and neck in popularity

There is only one percentage point separating Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim as the two go head-to-head in an election expected to be called within weeks, according to a survey by Universiti Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel).

Najib had a slight lead of 43 percent against Anwar's 42 percent as the preferred choice for prime minister, said Prof Mohd Redzuan Othman, leader of the Umcedel team.

The centre notes that Najib's approval rating is on slide, garnering 54 percent from 61 percent in March-April, 2012 and 58 percent in September.

The latest survey was conducted between Dec 26 and Jan 11 where 1,409 respondents were interviewed face to face.