Factors explaining party support during the COVID-19 pandemic: The leadership role

• Main Authors: Idid, Syed Arabi, Tengku Mohd Azzman, Tengku Siti Aisha
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General); H61.8 Communication of information; P87 Communication. Mass media; T10.5 Communication of technical information
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/94174/2/AMIC%20Conference%20Program.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/94174/3/Acceptance%20letter_AMIC.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/94174/14/Factors%20explaining%20party%20support%20during%20the%20pandemic.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/94174/; https://2021conference.amic.asia/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Various socio-demographic, political and communication changes, among others, affect the popularity of a political party during the pandemic period. This study will focus on the role of leadership in understanding the ruling party, Perikatan Nasional (PN), within an electoral system that is subject to societal changes. A nationwide face-to-face survey was carried out in July 2020 among Malaysians (N = 820). Survey participants responded on the personal traits of the Prime Minister (as leader of PN), confidence in government, perception on government efforts in managing the pandemic, media use, and support for PN. Issues are essential as voters prefer representatives who champion their interest. In the Agenda-Setting theory, comes the notion that voters see a close relationship between issues that concern them and those favoured by the representatives as reported in the media. The literature is also rife with candidates and issues but is pretty scarce in studying the role of leadership during the term of incumbency (Rhodes & ‘t Hart, 2014). Hence the study would include the concept as a mediating variable to explain support for the governing party. The diversity of ideas and information, as well as the watchdog role of the media provides citizen’s understanding of issues during elections (Voltmer, 2006). The whole media scenario is an impetus for change affecting the people’s acquisition of issues and thus affecting how they perceived PN. Overall, results indicate that the PM’s leadership plays an important role; it influenced support for PN and mediated the relationship between confidence in government and support for PN. New media also negatively influenced support for PN. Implications of these findings on the role of political leadership and media use in obtaining party support will be discussed.