UPDATED VERSION. Voter concerns on political stability subside, but worries about the economy remain.
That's the latest findings by Merdeka Center for Opinion Research released today, June 1 (News Release here, Poll Report here).
The latest findings are part of an on-going poll conducted from the time Najib took office as PM, and closed by the time AH1N1 arrived, with the Perak Crisis smacked right in the middle.
Moving into the 100th day in office, which falls on June 2, Najib only has an approval rating of 45% from Malaysians in the peninsula.
His all-time best was 46% as at March 08, and the all-time worst had been 34%, both in July 2008 and the March 3-9 period in 2009, respectively (see Page 22 of 24 of the Poll Report).
About 16% remained hardcore dissatisfied with the leadership, and nearly 4 out of 10 refused to even answer the question.
In strange contrast to Abdullah Badawi, Najib is one Prime Minister who is denied a "honeymoon" probation.
Wake-up calls
However, there is a big caution for the Opposition in Peninsular Malaysia. Straighten up, Pakatan Rakyat, and take note of a loud wake-up call now ringing. Rest early on your laurels and you are a dead duck, the visuals of Putrajaya doomed.
The Merdeka Center findings indicate that people who think the country is moving towards the right direction has accentuated from 37% (April 3) to 41% (May 15), a steady climb within six weeks and still counting (see Page 13 of 24).
This means, despite forking-talking to the Malays and non-Malays in different tongues about NEP (see Page 17 of 24), Najib is gaining traction in image-rebuilding that he is pro-market equality, albeit slowly. (see Page 7 of 24 of the Poll Report).
Interesting too, the latest poll results also indicate that the minority Indian community have swung to warm up to Najib, giving him a 64% approval rating, outdoing even the Malays who gave him 53% of thumbs-up.
In contrast, only 24% of the Chinese population are satisfied with Najib (see Page 23 of 24).
On the economic front, optimism level about the economic prospects in the country has improved from 31% (March 2009) to 47% in May, a steep jump of 16% within two months which saw Abdullah make the final exit.
The deepest trough of people's confidence over economy was the record low of 20% during the July 1-14, 2008 period.
The poll has contemporary currency as it was conducted from May 6 to May 15, 2009. Sampling size: A total of 1,067 registered voters in Peninsular Malaysia, comprising 56% Malays, 34% Chinese and 10% Indians -- roughly the racial composition in Semenanjung.
Margin of error: Plus minus 3.01%.
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