KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 ― Former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is the most popular choice for the next prime minister, according to a new study conducted by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) released today.

In the study titled "What Malaysians Want?” conducted between mid to late last year, Muhyiddin had a 37.3 per cent approval rate among 3,000 respondents nationwide.

PPBM, for which Muhyiddin is now president, was yet to be formed officially at the time of the survey.

PPBM chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed came in second at 35.9 per cent. He was formerly prime minister of 22 years, retiring in October 2003.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was third, with 34.3 per cent approving of him as PM.

Jailed PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim only came in sixth in the survey.

The top five candidates all came from either PPBM or PAS. Former Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir was fourth, while PAS central committee member Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz was fifth.

The highest ranking Barisan Nasional leader in the list, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein, ranked seventh in the list.

Out of the 17 names given to respondents, current Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng ranked 11th while his father, DAP parliamentary leader and Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang, ranked 13th.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was the 14th favourite for the next PM post, behind the DAP duo.