Najib's sliding popularity 'a blip on the radar'
Published: Aug 31, 2011 8:01 PM | Updated: Aug 31, 2011 8:37 PM
Several Sabah leaders today questioned the accuracy of a survey which showed that the popularity of Prime Minister Najib Razak has dipped.
Several Sabah leaders today questioned the accuracy of a survey which showed that the popularity of Prime Minister Najib Razak has dipped.
Their response comes in the wake of a survey conducted by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research which reported that Najib's rating dropped six percent from 65 percent in May 2011 to 59 percent in August.
In an immediate reaction yesterday, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim questioned the sampling used in the survey, saying that it had not considered the rural community, the Indian community in perspective, and the community in Kuala Lumpur which strongly supported the prime minister.
Sabah MIC chief V Jothi agreed with Rais that the result was not reflective of the Indian community's sentiment as this group was actually renewing its support for BN after seeing Najib's effort to unite all the communities.
"He (Najib) has always been accommodating. He wants to give more chances to every race; no race has been left out. The Indians are very supportive of the prime minister and the present government. They are actually coming back to BN. They realise that only the BN can bring them progress," he said.
Popularity survey depends on current issues
Sabah BN secretary Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the popularity survey depended much on current issues.
"As we know, in the past few months, the opposition has been mounting a rigorous anti-Najib campaign starting off with Bersih 2.0 and that has somewhat given a negative perception about the administration and about the prime minister.
"But, seriously, to have a prime minister having more than 50 percent support is a big achievement under the current political scenario in our country.
"So, it could be a blip on the radar, but I think he has been consistent in his approach over time as we approach the next elections. I think the true support for the prime minister will materialise and that is what matters," said the Kota Belud MP.
Sabah Gerakan chief Gordon Leong said that "when one looks around, the people in fact really love the prime minister.
"If you look at the reaction of the people whenever Najib visits Sabah, it is clear that he is widely respected. Everywhere he goes, people are rushing to shake hands with him. So, how can you then say that he is not so popular any more.
"He is doing something about the country, but it takes time. He has the people in mind and he truly wants to help the country. Let him perform, let him do his bit. I think it's wrong to say his popularity has dropped. My opinion is that it has not dropped, in fact the people love him," said Leong.
- Bernama
Their response comes in the wake of a survey conducted by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research which reported that Najib's rating dropped six percent from 65 percent in May 2011 to 59 percent in August.
In an immediate reaction yesterday, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim questioned the sampling used in the survey, saying that it had not considered the rural community, the Indian community in perspective, and the community in Kuala Lumpur which strongly supported the prime minister.
Sabah MIC chief V Jothi agreed with Rais that the result was not reflective of the Indian community's sentiment as this group was actually renewing its support for BN after seeing Najib's effort to unite all the communities.
"He (Najib) has always been accommodating. He wants to give more chances to every race; no race has been left out. The Indians are very supportive of the prime minister and the present government. They are actually coming back to BN. They realise that only the BN can bring them progress," he said.
Popularity survey depends on current issues
Sabah BN secretary Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the popularity survey depended much on current issues.
"As we know, in the past few months, the opposition has been mounting a rigorous anti-Najib campaign starting off with Bersih 2.0 and that has somewhat given a negative perception about the administration and about the prime minister.
"But, seriously, to have a prime minister having more than 50 percent support is a big achievement under the current political scenario in our country.
"So, it could be a blip on the radar, but I think he has been consistent in his approach over time as we approach the next elections. I think the true support for the prime minister will materialise and that is what matters," said the Kota Belud MP.
Sabah Gerakan chief Gordon Leong said that "when one looks around, the people in fact really love the prime minister.
"If you look at the reaction of the people whenever Najib visits Sabah, it is clear that he is widely respected. Everywhere he goes, people are rushing to shake hands with him. So, how can you then say that he is not so popular any more.
"He is doing something about the country, but it takes time. He has the people in mind and he truly wants to help the country. Let him perform, let him do his bit. I think it's wrong to say his popularity has dropped. My opinion is that it has not dropped, in fact the people love him," said Leong.
- Bernama
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