Higher approval rating for Muhyiddin indicates rising optimism for PN govt – Merdeka Center

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the majority of Malaysians still unhappy over the direction of the country, an increased approval rating for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin indicates increasing optimism for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration, Merdeka Center suggested on Friday.

“In our view, the survey indicates a West Malaysian electorate that is exhibiting some signs of optimism after the reopening of the economy along with the commencement of the vaccination rollout.

“This is manifested in the still strong approval for the prime minister and reasonable confidence in the handling of the pandemic and economy — despite the still stressed conditions voters report for their own personal financial conditions and their perception of the economy,” it said in a statement.

Its recent survey which polled 2,111 respondents from March 31 to April 12 showed that 41 per cent of them agreed the country is headed in the right direction, with 46 per cent disagreeing, and the rest unsure.

Across ethnicities, the positive responses came from 54 per cent of Malay respondents, 28 per cent of affirmatives from Indian respondents, and only 15 per cent of Chinese respondents agreeing the country is headed in the right direction.

However when juxtaposed against the general sentiment towards Muhyiddin's leadership as prime minister, 67 per cent of respondents expressed satisfaction with him at the wheel, 30 per cent were dissatisfied, and three per cent undecided.

The last survey conducted in January saw Muhyiddin obtaining only a 63 per cent approval rating, with 50 per cent of respondents having disagreed with the country's direction earlier this year.

As for the 46 per cent of respondents who did not think the country is heading in the right direction, their main concern is the general political instability, followed by the country's economic performance with specific grouses such as rising cost of living, and employment.

These respondents also expressed worries towards the quality of administration in the government, with others issues being incompetent leaders and racial inequality.

In order of importance, these respondents listed economic concerns, the curbing of the Covid-19 pandemic, politics, racial issues, and leadership abilities as their top worries.

For the 41 per cent who agreed with the country's direction, a majority of them revealed they felt the government is being administered well, and that the welfare of the people are being looked after.

A portion were also content with the gains and the favourable economic condition, a portion attributing their yes votes to the peace enjoyed in the country, and a few who agreed the current political situation is sufficiently stable.