Opinion poll

Opinion poll has not been standardised in Malaysia and thus, the result interpretation depends on your stand and point of view.

The approval rating of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak rose to 72% in May 2010 and BN leaders interpreted it as the people's support to the Government Transformation Plan (GTP) and the New Economic Model (NEM), while the Pakatan Rakyat said that the poll was not credible.

However, a recent Merdeka Cnetre poll reported that the Prime Minister's approval rating has dipped to 59% in August. This time, BN leaders said that it did not reflect the fact while the Pakatan Rakyat said that the people have shifted to support the alternative coalition.

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim also said that an Information Department survey of 50,000 respondents showed that most people accepted Najib’s leadership and the Barisan government.

When the Prime Minister received 72% of approval rating, some scholars predicted that the general election would be held in the end of last year. Would today's situation delay the general election to next year?

The BN questioned the sampling of the Merdeka Centre that interviewed only 1,027 voters. In my opinion, I think the scope of investigation was not comprehensive enough. For example, they should ask about the people's support for the Pakatan Rakyat and its leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to study the inadequacies of the ruling and alternative coalitions over the past three years.

The August poll showed that two issues had affected the Prime Minister's approval rating, namely the Bersih 2.0 rally and the rising cost of living.

The improper handling of the July 9 rally has been expected to cause a rebound and now, they could only take remedial actions, particularly to accelerate the reform of the electoral system to dilute the impact.

As for the rising cost of living, even though it is a global issue, the government can still implement some measures to alleviate the people's burden. The 2012 Budget is the key and in addition to proposing positive strategies, they must also ensure a strict and successful execution.

In fact, the BN has been devoted to improving the economy over the past three years. Unfortunately, its stand is not firm enough. For example, the NEM requires a performance-based system to enhance competitiveness. But they have actually got back to the old quota system recently. It is one of the factors affecting the confidence of voters.

Also, the GTP involves only the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and the National Key Result Area (NKRA) of government departments, but no political reform. They have failed to narrow the gap with young people and respond to the expectations of the Internet age.

A variety of sensitive issues and controversies have been triggered over the past two years, including the cow head protests, church arson attacks, "go back to China" remarks, the Bible issue and religious conversion. These have psychologically affected voters. They should actually ensure that no sensitive issue is stirred up to maintain a good feeling.

As for the Pakatan Rakyat, efficiency is the biggest problem, particularly the implementation of election commitments. They have also been criticised for lacking political courage.

During the 2008 general election, the DAP promised to implement local elections once they took over the power. However, only recently three village head polls were held in Selangor. Also, work to turn the infamous Rothmans Roundabout in Petaling Jaya into a traffic light junction has not yet been completed even after eight months of construction.

In addition, Umno has taken the opportunity to continue attacking the Selangor state government as the controversy over the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) raid on a charity dinner has still not been resolved.

Both the ruling and alternative coalitions do not wish their opponents to perform better and gain more support but if they keep giving tit for tat, the people will be the one who suffers the consequences. Thus, they should stop inter-party confrontation and truly work for the people's welfare.

- MySinchew