Minister casts doubt on survey showing low govt rating

 

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has cast doubt on a survey purportedly on the 100-day performance of the coalition government which was carried out by a firm and published by several media outlets.

He said the findings were unreliable and not reflective of the people’s views as the survey was conducted using a doubtful methodology based on an imbalanced sample of respondents.

He said the Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD) will meet with the media agencies concerned to get clarification on the survey, he said.

“Based on the feedback we received, various academic experts generally questioned the methodology of the survey. If that is their (academicians) stand, then we have to see their (survey organiser’s) motive.

“The survey was on 100 days of the government administration, but we have not reached 100 days yet. I will meet with the newspapers concerned to get clarification. Are they trying to do some promotion or deceive the people?” he said.

Fahmi was speaking to reporters after launching the mobile internet Prepaid Unity Package in Kuala Lumpur today.

Five local media outlets published the findings of the survey, conducted from Feb 6 to 16 in collaboration with a research firm.

The survey, among other things, found that only 27 percent of respondents were satisfied with the performance of the government in tackling issues on race relations and economic growth, while 26 percent felt the government handled the food supply issue well.

Criticism vs slander

Meanwhile, on Pendang MP Awang Hashim’s allegation that the government was preventing the opposition from criticising it, Fahmi said criticisms were allowed but slander was not acceptable.

“They are free to criticise but don’t resort to slandering, which undermines morality. As an MP from a party which champions Islam, he should know better the consequences of slander.

“To YB Pendang (Awang), I would urge him to perform self-reflection and if there is an issue… answer in court,” Fahmi added.

Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sent a letter of demand to Awang regarding his claim that the prime minister practised selective prosecution and was more vindictive than former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

On another matter, Fahmi said KKD will meet with Tiktok Malaysia and Cyber Security Malaysia following security concerns raised by European Union (EU) policymakers.

He said KKD should consider this matter urgently if the TikTok application had security implications and involved official government secrets.

On Saturday, international media reports said two major policymaking institutions of the EU had banned TikTok from the phones of employees on cyber security concerns.

- Bernama