The latest Merdeka Center survey has shown a sharp decline in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's popularity, dropping to 52 percent compared to 62 percent earlier in August this year.

Merdeka Center said that the survey was carried out at a time when the government began announcing the rise in petrol prices, abolition of sugar subsidies, the decision to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and also the rise in electricity tariff.

A breakdown on Najib's popularity showed that his popularity has dropped among all major races, and also different segment of voters, with Indian voters' approval of Najib dropping significantly by 19 percent since the approval was last recorded in August.

This is the lowest approval rating for Najib's performance as a Prime Minister since September 2009.