PUTRAJAYA: Rafizi Ramli has downplayed a recent survey showing that some 52% of respondents are unhappy with the way the government is handling inflation and cost of living issues.
"I welcome it as their focus was on the 52% who were dissatisfied – but it also meant that 48% were satisfied.
"In comparison, the figures of those satisfied with the previous administration was only around 30%," the Economy Minister said at a press conference after chairing the Special Task Force To Facilitate Business (Pemudah) on Wednesday (May 31).
He said the results of the survey meant that more people were satisfied with the government's handling of inflation and cost of living compared to six months ago.
The survey, carried out by Endeavour-MGC, showed that 52% of Malays and 46% of non-Malays out of 1,068 respondents were dissatisfied with the government's handling of the two issues.
Rafizi also said the survey was not reflective of the sentiment of the rakyat nationwide.
"I know that the level (of satisfaction) is rising from month to month.
"People ask why I am keeping silent and not rebutting – it is because we are doing our work and we know that what is on social media does not represent the entire country," he said.
On another matter, Rafizi said the recent depreciation of the Malaysian ringgit against the US dollar could be traced back to the uncertainties in the United States beginning in February.
He said that prior to this, the ringgit had strengthened against the dollar from December to February due to political stability following the setting up of a new government after GE15.
However, he said that the United States was hit by consecutive uncertainties over a period of six months, driving up demand for the dollar.
He said uncertainties over the US Federal Reserve interest rate, the Silicon Valley banking crisis and the ongoing US debt ceiling issue were among the factors.
Rafizi said that the nation's economic fundamentals remain strong, expressing cautious optimism that the situation would stabilise in the coming months.
He advised politicians to let Bank Negara handle the monetary policies instead of commenting on issues without seeing the bigger picture.
