Infighting, media assault weigh Pakatan down
Divergent ideologies and the media spotlight over blemishes in Pakatan Rakyat-held states will weigh down the coalition in the next general election, according to a survey.
Divergent ideologies and the media spotlight over blemishes in Pakatan Rakyat-held states will weigh down the coalition in the next general election, according to a survey.
In the Universiti Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMCEDEL) survey, 59 percent of respondents believed that differences of opinion among the three parties were obstacles to the coalition in seeking public support.
This was up four percent from the first quarter survey performed by UMCEDEL.
However, doubters also increased by four percent within the same period, with 20 percent saying that it would not affect Pakatan.
Nearly half the respondents (48 percent) also believe that the media reports on the "weak administration" in Pakatan-held states was an obstacle for garnering support.
However, 29 percent of respondents disagreed while 23 percent were unsure.
The survey was conducted between September 1 and September 16, involving 1,536 respondents chosen through random stratified sampling.
Despite the gloomy outlook for Pakatan, it is not all smooth sailing for BN as the survey revealed that the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal, the controversy over the Lynas Advanced Material Plant and the reputation of BN leaders went against the ruling party's favour.
On the NFC scandal, 55 percent of respondents said that it will affect BN's performance in the next general election, down 10 percent from the first quarter survey.
48pct says EC is fair
Those who disagreed with this statement formed 18 percent of the respondents, up 9 percent from the first quarter. Those who disagreed formed 27 of the respondents, which was relatively unchanged.
On Lynas' plant, 59 percent of respondents said it will affect BN's electoral performance while 20 percent disagreed.
On the "integrity of Umno and BN leaders", 66 percent of respondents said it will affect BN's showing while 17 percent disagreed.
Meanwhile, respondents appear to be split on BN and Pakatan's policies on the Higher Education Loan Fund (PTPTN).
Fifty-one percent of respondents supported BN's policy of retaining PTPTN while 41 percent supported Pakatan's policy to abolish the fund.
Previously, Pakatan had claimed that PTPTN would be abolished in order to provide free education and not put fresh graduates immediately in debt.
The survey had also showed that slightly under half (48 percent) of respondents believed that the Election Commission was independent and fair.
Nearly a third (31 percent) replied in the negative while 21 percent were unsure.
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