Najib scores a pass with 65pc

The poll by the Merdeka Centre shows that Najib approval rating is 65 per cent, a spike from the tepid 46 per cent in mid-May and 42 per cent just before he became the country’s sixth leader.

When he entered office in early April, he owned one of the lowest approval ratings of any incoming Malaysian Prime Minister.100 days later and after a slew of measures to reform the economy, Malaysians appear to be warming up to Datuk Seri Najib Razak, a latest survey by an independent polling house shows.

Since becoming PM on April 3, Najib has tried to stake out his credentials as a reformer and architect of a new economic model for the country.He liberalised the financial services sector, allowing foreigners to own larger chunks of investments banks and insurance companies.Last week, he dropped the 30 per cent Bumiputera equity requirement for Malaysian firms seeking listing and trimmed the role of the powerful Foreign Investment Committee (FIC).In addition, he also announced that from next year, a new category of merit-based scholarships will be awarded to Malaysian students.

These changes and policy initiatives are aimed at making Malaysia an attractive destination for foreign investment, nurture the services sector and help the country retain its best brains.There is also a political imperative.The moves proposed by the Najib administration are also aimed at regaining some of the support Umno/Barisan Nasional lost in Election 2008, particularly among the non-Malays.The Merdeka Centre survey shows that Najib’s support is strongest among the Malays.

No doubts the changes made was positive in the recent months. One must look at it with an open mind when rating performance of such high profile leader. The most important are the motives and agenda set behind what public can't see. That is what matters. And that is what will be rated whether it stands the test of on-going and future challenges.