PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s approval rating remains stable at 67% amid concerns over the economy and the Covid-19 pandemic, a recent survey of Peninsular Malaysia voters revealed.

The survey by Merdeka Centre showed that Muhyiddin retained strong support from the Malay electorate at 83% as compared to 30% and 66% from the Chinese and Indian communities respectively.

The results showed an improvement compared with the 63% approval rating recorded at the end of January 2021, Merdeka Centre said.

The pollster said 2,111 respondents aged 21 and above were interviewed via telephone for this survey, which was conducted from March 31 to April 12.

Merdeka Centre said 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, they said is manifested in the still strong approval for Muhyiddin and the 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.  

“The provision of financial assistance to households and some businesses affected by the economic difficulties induced by the pandemic, as well as relaxation of conditions for people to withdraw from the Employees’ Provident Fund, has buoyed public perceptions of the government and its leader.”

The survey also showed 73% of support from Muhyiddin came from rural areas, and 63% from those in urban areas.

A poll undertaken by The Malaysian Insight in February found similar dissatisfaction with the Perikatan Nasional government, with 93.9% of 5,000 respondents saying they were not satisfied with PN for various reasons. 

This, they said, included Malaysia’s decline on the World Corruption Perception Index, its bloated cabinet, the decision to impose a state of emergency in the country and alleged double standards in Covid-19 standard operating procedure enforcement. – April 23, 2021.