PUTRAJAYA – Support for the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration has been increasing and is at a status quo, said PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli.
Based on a survey by the party, he said the percentage of support by the people has risen since September after the government tabled its policies on the Madani Economy, the National Energy Transition Roadmap, and the 12th Malaysian Plan’s half-term review.
Rafizi said the increase comes following a dip in support between May and August following the weakening of the ringgit value, referring to the survey that has guided PKR in its administration since 2016.
“Our perspective is that the unity government and (Anwar’s) administration are in the most stable situation because of stable internal politics,” he told a press conference at the PKR Women and Youth wings’ congress, today.
“Support of the people is at status quo – although incremental, we were concerned (during the May to July period when it dropped). But it has since picked up after a series of policy documents,” he told the media shortly after presenting his officiating speech at PKR’s Women and Youth congress, today.
Rafizi said this in response to a survey by Merdeka Centre, which recorded that the federal government’s approval rating was at 41%, as compared to 54% in December last year.
The Pandan MP noted that the survey results of all previous governments – under the administration of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob – had a high reading at the start and reduced after several months.
However, Rafizi said the findings of the approval ratings for Anwar’s administration are better than his predecessors, despite it being turned into a political tool.
Expressing optimism that the government’s political stability gives it an “upper hand”, Rafizi said Perikatan Nasional (PN) can no longer maintain its momentum as the opposition.
This is because PN “put all of its eggs in the same basket” by campaigning that the government would topple during the last state elections, which he said no longer carries weight with their supporters.
Rafizi also mentioned that Bersatu was lucky as it became a government party after only two years – as opposed to PKR – while PAS “by nature” shifts its support to “stronger partners”. – November 25, 2023