ECONOMY Minister Rafizi Ramli downplays the recent Merdeka Center survey indicating that Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s popularity has dropped to 50%, stating that he does not find it to be earth-shattering.He said the current status of Anwar is much better than the ratings for the previous PMs in Malaysia, adding that for the people in the country, it is not too important.“I don’t feel that the Merdeka Center survey has any ‘earth-shattering’ (too important) findings involving the unity government to the people,” said the PKR deputy president.He compared the survey to those in the US which always indicate a fall in the government’s popularity rating mid-way through their term, he said while speaking at the PKR 2023 Annual National Congress which took place on Saturday at the Putrajaya International Convention Center (PICC), Putrajaya.“In my reading, looking at the findings from the Merdeka Center survey, the approval rating of Anwar is actually better than the previous PM after a year of being PM. To assess the real atmosphere, we have to compare the support pattern with other prime ministers before.“We have three PMs after Datuk Seri Najib Razak, namely Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and then Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob,” he said.Last week, a Merdeka Center survey said until last October, as many as 48% of respondents were not satisfied with Anwar’s performance in the administration of the unity government.Meanwhile, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government takes note of the Merdeka Center’s survey on the one-year administration under Anwar. He pointed out that the government views it from a positive angle, with efforts to address issues, including economic concerns, being taken.“As mentioned by the PM at the one-year celebration of the unity government in Putrajaya on Nov 23, next year, the government will focus on economic development, including improving people’s income.“God willing, with the Madani Economy policy, the 2030 New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP), efforts to combat corruption and improve government administration, including facilitating business and investment, economic growth direction is on the right track,” he said in a statement. – Nov 25, 2023
Main photo credit: Harian Metro
