As long as Harapan leaders gleeful, Najib trolls after 'happiness' ranking plummets

Former premier Najib Abdul Razak, who is also known as the king of trolls for taking regular potshots at Pakatan Harapan and its leaders on social media, has now trained his guns on Malaysia's ranking in the United Nations World Happiness Index 2019.

However, the report stated that its findings are based on three years of surveys taken by analytics company Gallup from 2016 to 2018, during which Najib was prime minister.

In a Facebook posting this afternoon, Najib cited Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad's speech yesterday to celebrate the World Happiness Day.

“The minister proclaimed that Malaysia was in the 35th spot among 138 nations in the Happiness Index. He (Khalid) said this proved that the happiness and wellbeing of the people are ensured.

“He (Khalid) lauded this achievement and claimed that it would encourage more foreign investments,” he added.

Najib claimed Khalid was referring to the 2018 report (which was based on surveys from 2015 to 2017) which was published in March of that year before Harapan won the general election.

Unfortunately for the minister, he said, the 2019 report was published several hours after Khalid delivered his speech.

“Malaysia's ranking fell 45 places to number 80 (in the latest index),” he added, pointing out that the country is behind Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines in this region.

The 2019 report, he said, stated that Malaysia was one of four countries which witnessed a significant slide alongside Venezuela, Ukraine and India.

“Our country's position (in the index) at present is the lowest since the UN started publishing the (Happiness Index).

“Harapan ministers know that the people would not be happy when lied to consistently amid an economic downturn.

“It is fine if the people are not happy as along as Harapan leaders are happy after getting their positions,” he added.

The World Happiness Report 2019, which is produced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network in partnership with the Ernesto Illy Foundation, ranks 156 countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be.

Finland retained its top spot from 2018 as the happiest country in the world.

This year's report focuses on happiness and community in the context of how happiness has been changing over the past dozen years, and how information technology, governance, and social norms influence communities.

It is the seventh edition of the annual report.