Fahmi questions survey findings on first 100 days of govt

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has cast doubt on the findings of a survey on the first 100 days of the government's administration conducted by a research firm and several media agencies.

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

The communications and digital ministry would meet with the media agencies concerned to obtain clarification of the survey, he said.

"Based on the feedback we received, various academic experts generally questioned the methodology of the survey. If that is the stand of the academics, then we have to see the motive of the survey organiser.

"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 to reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

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

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

Meanwhile, on Pendang MP Awang Hashim’s allegation that the government was preventing the opposition from criticising it, Fahmi said criticism was allowed but that 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," he added.

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

On another matter, Fahmi said his ministry would meet with Tiktok Malaysia and Cyber Security Malaysia to discuss the aspect of security following security concerns raised by European Union policymakers.

He said the ministry should consider this matter urgently if the application had security implications for official government secrets.

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