Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s latest support ratings remain below the warning line, according to a survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong last week.
Leung’s rating stands at 37.6 out of 100 – below the popularity “warning line” of 45.
The Public Opinion Programme at the university asked more than 1,000 people by phone last week whether they approve or disapprove of key public officials. A rating of zero indicated no support whatsoever, 100 indicated absolute support and 50 indicated half-half.
Those surveyed were also asked if they would vote for Leung, if they had the right to. His approval rating stood at 20 per cent, while his disapproval rating stood at 73 per cent – the figures produced a net popularity score of -54 per cent, the lowest of all top government officials.
The official with the second lowest popularity rating was Secretary for Education Eddie Ng, who scored a net approval rating of -51 per cent.
“Eddie Ng falls into the category of ‘depressing’ performer, while CY Leung falls into that of ‘disastrous,’” the Public Opinion Programme said in its latest release.
It is the final opinion poll for Ng, who is set to leave the government. Another poll will be conducted by the university later this month before Leung leaves office on June 30.
Aside from Eddie Ng, the net approval ratings for Secretary for Innovation and Technology Nicolas Yang and Secretary for Home Affairs were also in the negative.
Secretary for Food and Health Ko Wing-man continues to be the principal official with the highest rating, enjoying a net approval rate of 77 per cent.
Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung scored the highest rating out of the three top secretaries, with 49.3 – but his rating has dropped from last month’s score of 55.3. The net approval rates for Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Justice Secretary Rimsky Yuen were at 34.1 and 46.6 respectively.
Chief executive-elect Carrie Lam’s rating has been steady. The latest rating stood at 54.7, and her net approval rate is six per cent.
