MALAYSIANS on social media were largely unhappy with Pakatan Harapan’s first 100 days in office, citing unfulfilled promises as one of their main grouses, according to an online poll by The Malaysian Insight.

The current government assumed office after the May 9 general election, sweeping aside the 61-year rule of Barisan Nasional.

However, 100 days after it was ushered in with a hero’s welcome into Putrajaya, the coalition has been on the receiving end of strong backlash from social media users.

A total of 53,000 social media users took part in the Facebook poll, with 67% voting “No” to the question of whether they were satisfied with PH’s 100 days in office. Only 33% voted “Yes”.

However, four out of five people in a separate poll conducted among Mandarin-speaking Facebook users said PH should be forgiven for its unfulfilled promises as it inherited a problem-ridden administration from BN.

Only 18% of the 4,400 respondents said PH should not be forgiven, and that the coalition should have done its research and made realistic election promises.

Similarly, a Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research poll released this week indicated that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad’s popularity had dropped from 83% in May to 71% this month.

“This indicates the dissipating euphoria and natural friction as expectations encounter reality. Nonetheless, the present positive numbers underpin the general satisfaction expressed by voters on the performance of the new government,” the Merdeka Centre had said.

Meanwhile, social media user Yeoh Richard Yyz said PH should continue strengthening free speech and religious freedom, as well as pursuing education and parliamentary reforms.

Another Facebook user, CikDanny Naamriq, said she would vote “No” until the PH government fulfills its promises to reduce fuel prices, and abolish tolls and National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) loans.

“Selagi minyak x turun rm1.50, toll free, PTPTN hapus, so I say NO,” said CikDany Naamriq.

Tuan Mandahan shared the same sentiment on fuel prices and highlighted that the prices of goods remained unchanged despite the scrapping of the goods and services tax (GST).

“Petrol same as before. No change at all… without GST now but prices of goods remain the same.”

Moslem Moslemaa, another displeased voter, criticised the PH government for repeatedly raising the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) issue to manipulate the public instead of focusing on change.

“Sick of your game and putar belit!” the user commented.

The Twittter platform had fewer than 1,000 respondents, of which 58% voted positively, while 42% had negative opinions about the PH-led government.

User Arthas (@g33k_) said PH took over a problem-laden government and should be given five years before being judged.

The user also urged the public to be critical of the government as a way to keep it in check and ensure it will fulfil its promises.

“They inherited a gov. rigged with problems. Some ministers are performing good, while some still under par. If the prev group given a 60-year chance, why not we give them 5 years?” Arthas tweeted.

Another user, Marvin (@marvinreds_27), said that the public that voted in PH had the right to criticise ministers if flawed ideas were proposed.

“Yes you are absolutely right. However, the rakyat should criticise them if the ministers are proposing wrong ideas rather than defending them coz you voted for them,” said Marvin in reply to Arthas’ comment.

Other positive tweets were from Walski in very LIBERAL doses (@walski69), who tweeted: “To expect the last few decades of compound damage to be undone in 100 days is ridiculous. Despite silly hiccups here and there, PH is on the right track overall. So my answer is YES.” – August 17, 2018.