By Masterwordsmith
At the Sembang-Sembang Forum yesterday, Encik Ibrahim Suffian, Head of Programs and a Director of the Merdeka Centre of Opinion Research revealed that the approval rating for Barisan Nasional has improved by 5% while that for Pakatan Rakyat has slipped by 17%.
More importantly, he believed that based on current trends, it is likely that BN will have a bigger win in the next elections ceteris paribus. The middle ground of 10% is relatively small and may not affect the swing in an impactful manner. The warning is out and the writing is on the wall - PR had better shape up or prepare to ship out for BN!!!
According to the results of the public opinion polls, there are no major issues affecting public discourse at the moment. Generally, citizens are relieved that the impact from the economic meltdown has not been that bad. While many believe that the worst is over, they are still very concerned about the economic performance of the country. However, could it be that the respondents are not aware of the economic indicators/current issues that should be used to assess the actual scenario?
Encik Ibrahim highlighted interesting observations from the research that has been conducted by the centre.
* Public approval for the Prime Minister in March 2009 was 46%
* This figure shifted to 43% after he was declared UMNO President
* During the Perak debacle, his rating slipped to 34%
* After his announcement of various liberalisation policies, the rating improved to about 65% because the rakyat seemed to be happier that he announced KPI index and his new policies seemed to address key concerns of the country.
* The main concern of most of the polls is economic issues and not political problems.
Read more at: OPINION POLLS REVEAL CHANGING PRECEPTIONS ABOUT BN AND PR
written by jeevy, November 17, 2009 20:06:59
-
- +0
-
-
written by beijing, November 17, 2009 11:50:27
-
- +0
-
-
written by batsman, November 17, 2009 11:22:52
-
- +4
-
-
written by smalluncle, November 17, 2009 11:17:46
DSAI is to be blamed.
Never show us he is capable of leading a coalition put aside running a state (s) / country?>
Not shrew, snake, authoritative .... enough. Simply LEMBIT.
-
- -6
-
-
written by capricorn, November 17, 2009 09:52:47
-
- +0
-
-
written by Ghifarix, November 17, 2009 09:50:57
Put your money where your moth is fagot -Signal to UMNO Ibrahim Suffian that YOUR time is ripe, dissolve dewan.
-
- +2
-
-
written by asguard, November 17, 2009 09:34:27
-
- +1
-
-
written by masterwordsmith, November 17, 2009 09:07:23
We must always test everything that we read or hear objectively. In any piece of research, there are elements of doubt with regards to the representativeness and validity of the findings.In fact, I raised many questions at the forum about this which were answered fairly and objectively by the speaker. Truth is, the forum revealed a few important details which Pakatan Rakyat and supporters like us need to conisder.
* A large segment of the audience in Malaysia Today are the converted in that we support Pakatan Rakyat.
* However, we must remember that this research was conducted in different parts of Malaysia, in particular the less developed areas, to increase the representativeness of findings. Obviously, there are large pockets of the unconverted in both West Malaysia and East Malaysia, in particular:
- those who do not read MSM
- those who do not have access to internet connection and have no idea about the damning evidence that is reported there
- those who live in the interiors (Sabah & Sarawak) and the east coast of the peninsula
- the elderly
- the younger population who have been exposed to propaganda in various situations and have mindsets which are difficult to change
- those who are the resistant ones because they are 'victims' of change agents planted all around the country
- the elderly who are accustomed to voting for the status quo
- etc..
I believe leaders in Pakatan Rakyat must strategize and go down to the grass root level to 'preach' to the unconverted. More foot soldiers are needed to penetrate remote areas that lack accessibility to msm, broadband connectivity and other channels of communication.They need to assess the effectiveness of what they are doing to consolidate their position and strengthen support from all over the country, and look at the bigger picture. Complacency and dependence on people from PR-ruled states could cost them lots of votes in the next election. We support them but they too must show evidence to the unconverted (e.g. in the quality and caliber of their candidates for election to show that they ARE capable of ruling BETTER than the given alternative. East Malaysia can tip the scales in favor of PR but the road is a long and winding one and we must be prepared to persevere and persist to attain that goal.
As ordinary citizens, we need to talk to our loved ones and friends to increase awareness of issues and to encourage and ensure that the young register and vote int he next elections. The 45% is definitely important. Our target audience must be expanded and PR leaders must reinforce areas of weakness or lose ground support in vital areas.
Lots of consolidation is needed and it is a 'it's now or never" situation so let's unite and march forward to effect change in our country.
Thank you.
-
- +3
-
-
