By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, Nov 4 — Some 72 per cent of voters felt Malaysia is headed in the wrong direction as opposed to only 20 per cent, who maintained the nation is on the right track, according to a survey by Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research.
The independent pollster said that the views on national direction showed a decline after the parliament was dissolved under the leadership of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The survey, gathered from a pool of 1,209 Malaysian voters aged 18 and above, was prompted by concerns over the economical and political uncertainty arising from the upcoming elections and other issues such as corruption and inter-ethnic conflicts.
Titled “Malaysia’s Upcoming Elections: The State of Play”, the survey also found that 74 per cent of voters felt the country’s biggest problem currently is the economy.
“However, the voters’ concerns were split across inflation at 31 per cent, political instability (13 per cent), corruption (12 per cent) and economic growth (12 per cent),” said the research house in a statement today.
Meanwhile, in terms of ratings, Merdeka Centre said the federal government’s approval rating currently stands at 31 per cent with 60 per cent reporting dissatisfaction.
“The approval rating for the caretaker prime minister is at 42 per cent,” it said.
The survey was carried out between October 19 and 28 through fixed-line and mobile telephone communications.
The respondents comprised 52 per cent Malay, 29 per cent Chinese, 7 per cent Indian and 6 per cent each of Muslim and non-Muslim Bumiputeras from Sabah and Sarawak.
Merdeka Centre said the survey was focused on how Malaysians view the upcoming general election along with their concerns and motivations.
