As the ruling government, he said, PH had expected to be criticised and to lose some of its popularity.

“When you are doing something, of course it is open to criticism. When you are in the opposition, all you do is criticise. You do nothing so there is nothing to criticise about then.

“Elections are different. (During) the election, (people) will make a proper assessment as to who is fit to govern,” he said when approached by reporters after meeting senior government officers here today.

Asked whether the survey would reflect on the 15th general election, Mahathir said there is still a long way to go before then.

“In the meantime, we will do lots of things. At the moment, we are constrained with all the wrongdoings of the previous government,” he added.

According to the poll, the government’s approval rating dropped to 39% on March 11 from 79% last May. Mahathir’s performance in governing the country also dipped, from 71% last August to 46%.