US reputation in Malaysia hits record low 

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) —  The United States has suffered its sharpest reputational decline in Malaysia since 2023, according to a new Ipsos survey, reports the Malay Mail.

In the poll conducted between March 20 and April 3 this year, Malaysia recorded a 16-percentage-point drop in positive views of the U.S., the steepest fall among the Southeast Asian nations surveyed.

Only 34% of Malaysians now view the US as having an overall positive influence on world affairs.

By contrast, China’s positive influence rating stands at 83% in Malaysia — the highest of any country surveyed and up seven percentage points from October 2025.

Iran’s reputation has also risen among Malaysians, gaining four percentage points to reach 50% positive perception since October last year.

Globally, the U.S. recorded a seven-percentage-point decline in positive perception, while China posted a modest three-percentage-point gain.

Indonesia mirrored Malaysia’s trend closely, with the US dropping 13 points and China commanding an 81% positive rating there.

Ipsos Malaysia managing director Arun Menon noted that the decline in U.S. positive influence in Malaysia and Indonesia has now surpassed the drop recorded at the start of the Palestine crisis.

“This shifting geopolitical landscape is increasingly shaping how people perceive countries — and, by extension, the brands associated with them. “Businesses may face more discerning consumers, who are already inflation-wary,” he said.