Zuraida sees silver lining in recent survey on gov't

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said although the Pakatan Harapan administration's approval rating had taken a hit, voters are now less worried about corruption.

"In various surveys conducted after Harapan formed the federal government, corruption - which was once a cancer that stunted Malaysia's development - is no longer the main issue concerning the public.

"We should be proud that Malaysia does not bear the stigma of a kleptocracy like before," she said in a statement.

Last week, Merdeka Center released its latest survey results which suggested that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his administration's approval rating was currently 46 percent and 39 percent respectively.

Historically, Merdeka Center surveys tend to show that the strength of the economy is the main concern on the minds of voters.

Of the respondents who believed that the country was moving in the wrong direction, corruption was not cited as a major concern.

Conversely, of the respondents to believed the country was moving in the right direction, fighting corruption was a cited as a reason for this.

However, Zuraida, who is also PKR vice-president, acknowledged that there was unhappiness over the present administration, but stressed that a lot of the problems faced by the country today were legacy problems left by the previous administration.

"Certainly, it will take time to resolve the problems, especially with the economy," she said.

She believed that Malaysia, under Mahathir's helm, was on the right course and urged the public to continue working with the federal government to develop the country.  - Mkini