MALAYSIANS are happy with Putrajaya’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, a survey from Merdeka Centre shows.

It said 93% of respondents gave Putrajaya the thumbs up while 68% agreed the government has helped the needy during the pandemic.

Merdeka Centre director Ibrahim Suffian said: “93% of respondents were satisfied with how the government managed the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Besides that, 68% and 61% also agreed the government has been helpful to those in need and managing the economy.”

The study was conducted from July 15 to August 10.

A total of 3,415 registered voters comprising 52% Malays, Chinese (29%), Indians (7%), Muslim Bumiputeras (6%) and non-Muslim Bumiputeras (6% from Sabah and Sarawak) took part in the survey.

About 53% of respondents also said the government has established the rule of law and on creating jobs during the pandemic while 43% agreed that Putrajaya helped the public find jobs during the pandemic.

However, respondents are not happy with its fight against corruption.

In May, 43% of respondents felt the government was doing its responsibility to fight graft but the approval rate dropped within three months.

“Perceptions of the government’s performance in fighting corruption dropped 5% within the three-month period, from 43% to 38%,” Ibrahim said.

Recently, former prime minister Najib Razak was found guilty of abuse of power and corruption in the SRC International case.

Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng and his wife, Betty Chew, have both pleaded not guilty for corruption in the Penang undersea tunnel project. – September 2, 2020.