An analysis of public sentiments towards Malaysian Government's Policies in managing COVID-19 pandemic

• Main Authors: Aminudin, Rabi'ah, Jamaiudin, Norhaslinda, Shukri, Syaza Farhana Mohamad, Lee, Pei May, Abdul Hamid, Rohana
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: JA Political science (General); JQ Political institutions Asia; JQ715 Politics and Government in Malaysia
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/85074/2/Programme%20Book%20WAPOR%20Asia%202020.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/85074/3/ZOOM%20LINKS%20WAPOR%20ASIA%202020.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/85074/14/WAPOR%202020%20Public%20Perception%20on%20Malaysian%20Government%20Management%20of%20Covid-19.pptx.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/85074/

AN ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC SENTIMENTS TOWARDS MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES IN MANAGING COVID-19 PANDEMIC Rabi’ah Aminudin, Norhaslinda Jamaiudin, Syaza Farhana Shukri, Lee Pei May, Rohana Abdul Hamid International Islamic University Malaysia Currently, the world is facing one of its greatest challenges, a global pandemic that has affected more than two million people across the globe and has resulted in around 130, 000 deaths. In a modern world, which is characterised by advanced technology and transnational movements across hard borders, infectious disease has proven to be a catalyst that forces nation-states to face underlying issues such as quality of public health service, digital divide, sustainable economic growth, et cetera. Malaysian government has taken various measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. Interestingly, the pandemic also saw the dramatic government change on 29th February 2020. This political turmoil has seen the end of 22 months of Pakatan Harapan as government of Malaysia and the return of UMNO into government as three parties; BERSATU, UMNO, and PAS formed a coalition named Perikatan Nasional. As the change of government happened in a rather unconventional method, it also has seen a smooth transition of power without violence and chaos as usually seen in power transitions. Despite somewhat political turmoil, Malaysia has seen a successful story of containing COVID-19 pandemic unlike other countries that have seen the interference of political influence in decision-making processes such as in the case of the US and Italy which has resulted in slow response towards the pandemic. As such, it is important to gauge public response towards government’s efforts through its implementation of policies and regulations specifically targeting COVID-19 pandemic through online public survey. This study explores public sentiment towards government policies in managing COVID-19 pandemic in four main domains namely; health sector, economic recovery plan, social regulation, and digitalisation of government services.