A 2016 study by European research outfit Ipsos Mori found that a staggering number of respondents held strongly to inaccurate beliefs and perceptions on key global issues.

The Ipsos Perils of Perception survey also found there to be a high level of ignorance among the public, affecting people’s views and behaviours. If a similar survey were to be conducted in this region, Malaysians would likely score quite highly in the misplaced perceptions ranking, as the battle between public opinion and facts is nothing new.

The previous Barisan Nasional government had long attempted to convince Malaysians – and the world – that many of the country’s woes could be blamed on the disconnect between people’s perception and reality.

From the crime rate and the economy’s health to transparency ratings, even if the official data showed marked improvements, the BN administration constantly failed to convince the public that things were actually improving. In the end, it was likely that the continued negative public perception – which was expertly played up by the then opposition – was a major factor leading to BN’s 14th general election defeat.

Shortly after the euphoria induced by last year’s historic polls results, Pakatan Harapan leaders experienced first-hand the power of perception.

Grumblings by right-wing Malay groups about the new multiracial line-up of ministers and officials quickly led to racially tinged street protests, which put inexperienced leaders on the defensive. Although unsubstantiated, the public perception that Malays and Islam were being threatened soon became a narrative of the weakened BN.

Growing discontent among the middle- and low-income groups, struggling to cope with rising living costs on their stagnating salaries, has also led to the perception that the PH government is just as inefficient as the administration it replaced.

Living overseas while maintaining a role in Malaysian media has meant that I often become, whether warranted or otherwise, the go-to reference for fellow Malaysians abroad who seek clarification or verification on news reports on local politics. And because Malaysian political news is a never-ending stream of controversy, half-truths and hullabaloo, I regularly receive opinions from all around the world that are mostly based on perception.

While I do my best to channel arguments based on personal opinions towards those based on facts and the local context, the reality is that the Malaysian diaspora’s sentiment towards the PH government has largely been one of disappointment.

For many, the distraction of infighting in the ruling pact’s biggest party and the misplaced focus on the country’s leadership transition have painted a picture of a new administration that is slowly reverting to the old ways of political patronage and racial politics.

Those who follow the work and progress of PH leaders would beg to differ, and with good reason. But, the government must accept that the majority of voters do not have the privilege of being constantly updated on its successes.

Instead, the people react based on what they feel, what their peers and community feel, and to a large extent, what the media tells them. These are the areas that the government has to address, the grouses that it has to listen to, and the problems it must prioritise if it seeks to close the gap between perception and reality.

Merdeka Centre’s latest survey on public perception, released this month, showed that overall sentiments regarding the country’s direction have inched up from the dismal 39% recorded in March.

While the approval ratings do not point to overwhelming support, they do signal an acknowledgment of positive advances in efforts to implement institutional reforms. PH leaders would do well to ride on this welcome upturn.

Moving forward, it would serve the government well not to dismiss negative public opinion as misplaced sentiment, or worse, ignorance, as the BN administration had done to disastrous outcomes.

Instead, PH should tread with caution when addressing negative perceptions by refining its message-delivery methods via the media, educating some of its leaders on the basic dos and don’ts of public speaking, and simply listening to the people.

The authorities need to bridge the gap between perception and reality, if they really believe there is one. Dismissing fears as mere imaginings will not help their cause or endear them to Malaysians, who will ultimately make their voice heard through the ballot box. – July 29, 2019.

* Julia Yeow has been in journalism for two decades and counts it as her first love, despite enjoying brief stints as a lecturer, clown and salad maker. She is a strong believer in social justice, and holds that there is sometimes more truth in the greys, than the blacks and whites.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.