Malaysia: Most voters happy with Pakatan, survey finds

• The country’s economy remains the top concern among voters, with 64% stating so in a survey carried out by Merdeka Center between 7 – 14 Aug 18.
• The polling outfit also noted that concerns on race and religious rights increased to 21%, up from 12% when it had conducted a pre-election poll in Apr 18.
• On the whole, however, two-thirds of voters surveyed by Merdeka Center gave the Pakatan Harapan government positive ratings, with 71% satisfied with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s performance as Prime Minister.
• It also showed that Dr Mahathir’s popularity had decreased from 83% in May 18.
• More than three-quarters of Malaysians picked Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as their top performing minister. The Deputy Prime Minister and Women, Community and Family Affairs Minister recorded 75% voter satisfaction.
• Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali recorded 64% voter satisfaction, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin got 62%, while Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng polled 60% satisfaction.
• While the survey noted a slight decline in public approval since the Pakatan government’s formation, there were strong positive indicators.
• This includes the increase in voters who believe Malaysia is now heading in the right direction, 55% compared to 38% in Apr 18 earlier, while 60% expressed satisfaction in the government’s management of the economy.
• While similar numbers or higher were recorded on initiatives such as institutional reform and measures to improve inter-ethnic harmony, only 48% surveyed were satisfied with the government on its methods of growing the economy.
• A total of 55% of voters surveyed were dissatisfied with the measures to address cost of living pressures.
• While a majority of voters could accept that some promises could not be fulfilled in the first 100 days of government, Merdeka Center noted that the new administration would face several challenges.
• They included race and religious rhetoric raised by the opposition parties and managing coalition politics within Pakatan itself
• Merdeka Center also suggested that the government faces a Malay electorate more cautious than their fellow non-Malay citizens.

External Link: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/16/most-voters-happy-with-pakatan-survey-finds

External Link: https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/88092

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