Samsuri yet to show ‘wow factor’ as PN chief, says Muhyiddin’s ex-aide

 Marzuki Mohamad says the PAS leader should have captured more than 70% of Malay support, rather than the current 48%.

Muhyiddin Yassin’s former aide, Marzuki Mohamad said after four months as PN chairman, Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (left) had recorded approval ratings of 48% among the survey’s Malay respondents and 28% overall.

PETALING JAYA:

Perikatan Nasional chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has much to do if he is to lead the coalition to victory in the next general election, says a former aide to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

In a Facebook post today, Marzuki Mohamad pointed to the results of Merdeka Center’s latest survey, noting that after four months as PN chairman, Samsuri had recorded approval ratings of 48% among Malay respondents and 28% overall.

“To win the 16th general election, PN needs at least 70% of Malay support.

“Generally, the popularity of a party’s leader will increase voters’ acceptance of that party. As such, Samsuri needs more than 70% of Malay support.

“In comparison, Muhyiddin Yassin had more than 70% of Malay support when he was PN chairman. His popularity is still higher than Samsuri, both among the Malays and overall,” he said.

Marzuki said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, despite being in fourth place among the Malays, was first overall, followed by former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Muhyiddin.

“This is a great challenge for PN. So far, there is no ‘wow factor’ (for Samsuri),” he said.

According to the Merdeka Center national public opinion survey, conducted from March 12 to April 9 among 1,209 selected respondents, Anwar recorded the highest approval rating of all Malaysian political leaders, with 52% of respondents expressing satisfaction with his performance.

Khairy took second place at 50%, followed by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin (36%), former economy minister Rafizi Ramli (32%), PAS vice-president Samsuri (28%) and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (25%).

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recorded the lowest approval rating at 24%, with 61% of respondents expressing dissatisfaction with his performance.

Among the survey’s Malay respondents, Khairy was highest at 62%, followed by Muhyiddin at 49%, Samsuri at 48%, Anwar at 45%, Hadi at 41%, Rafizi at 36% and Zahid at 31%.  - FMT