Most Malaysians satisfied with PH govt’s performance

KOTA KINABALU: Two-thirds of Malaysian voters feel the Pakatan Harapan federal government is doing all right 100 days after the 14th general election, according to a survey.

The Merdeka Center for Opinion Research survey also found that 71% of voters were satisfied with the performance of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister. As for the performance of ministers, they were most satisfied with Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

And 55% of respondents said the nation was headed in the right direction, compared with 38% in April 2018.

The survey also showed that the economy remained their main concern.

A total of 55% of voters polled said they were dissatisfied with measures to address cost of living pressures, with only 48% saying they were satisfied with the government's effort to grow the economy.

A total of 79% of Chinese voters, 89% of Indian voters, 62% of Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputeras, and 58% of Malay voters gave the thumps up to the PH government overall.

Dr Mahathir obtained positive responses from 93% of Indians, 83% of Chinese, 75% of nonMuslim Bumiputeras, 64% of Muslim Bumiputeras, and 62% of Malay voters, nationwide.

The survey showed that Mahathir gained high approval from civil servants, at 81%, and voters under 40 years old, at 73%.

Merdeka Center polled 1,160 registered voters between Aug 7 and 14 to gauge voters' perceptions of current developments.

The respondents comprised 52% Malays, 29% Chinese, 7% Indians, 6% Muslim Bumiputeras, and 6% non-Muslim Bumiputeras, (from Sabah and Sarawak), reflective of the national electoral profile. They were interviewed over the phone.

Merdeka Center said: “The present numbers show a slight decline from the onset of the formation of the new government, indicating dissipating euphoria and the natural friction as expectations encounter reality.

“Nonetheless, the present positive numbers underpin the general satisfaction expressed by voters on the performance of the new government on a number of issues since taking power in May 2018.”

The pollster posed several questions, including whether the nation was heading in the right direction and if voters were happy with efforts to reform institutions, to the respondents. The result:

• 55% of voters believed the country was now headed in the right direction, compared with 38% in April 2018;

• 60% of voters expressed satisfaction in the way the government was managing the economy now, up from 34% in April 2018;

• 56% of voters were optimistic about the prospects of the national economy compared with 31% in April 2018; and

• 56% of voters were satisfied with the overall performance of the PH government in fulfilling their election promises to date.

On whether they were satisfied with a number of different issues:

• 82% said they were satisfied with the results of the 14th general election – this also included voters who chose other parties;

• 72% were satisfied with the efforts to reform government institutions;

• 69% were positive about measures to improve inter-ethnic harmony;

• 65% were satisfied with measures to fight corruption;

• 48% were satisfied with the government over how it intended to grow the economy; and

• 41% were satisfied with measures to address cost of living pressures, while 55% were dissatisfied.

The survey showed that 64% of the respondents name the economy as their top concern. However, concerns over inflation or cost of living, though still high at 50%, had abated from the 57% recorded in April 2018.

Those polled also expressed concern over race and religious rights. In fact, such concern increased from 12% to 21% during the same period.

Although about 50% of Malay voters were satisfied with the PH government's efforts to (a) “protect the interests of their community” as well as (b) “protect the position of Islam”, 44% (a) and 45% (b), respectively, were dissatisfied.

According to the survey, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Women, Community and Family Affairs Dr Wan Azizah had the highest approval rating among ministers at 75%.

Next was Minister of Economic Affairs Azmin Ali with 64%, Minister of Home Affairs Muhyiddin Yassin with 62% and Lim Guan Eng with 60%.

There were differences in the satisfaction rates among the different races. For instance, Malay respondents gave Lim a satisfaction rate of 44% while non-Malays gave him 84%. Malays gave Azmin 68% while non-Malays gave him 60%.

Only Dr Wan Azizah bucked the trend, receiving an approval rating of 71% from Malays and 79% from non-Malays.

The pollster also asked respondents to rate new AttorneyGeneral Tommy Thomas, with 49% saying they were satisfied with his performance. However, when it came to racial breakdown, only 37% of Malays said they were satisfied with his performance while 67% of non-Malays expressed approval.

Merdeka Center said: “The survey results show a PH government that has won over a majority of the electorate despite coming in at less than 50% popular vote on election day. This has taken place on the back of their promised reform agenda, and voters' dissatisfaction towards the previous administration.

“A majority of voters appear satisfied with the new government's intent to reform and appear to accept that some promises could not be delivered within the first 100 days.

“The data also suggests that the PH government faces a Malay electorate that is more cautious when compared with their fellow citizens.”