BANGI: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's 1Malaysia brainchild is seen more as a bait to fish for votes instead of a sincere effort to unite the races.
According to a survey by Merdeka Centre, 46% of the non-Bumiputera respondents were of the opinion that the concept was to woo non-Malay voters while 39% felt that it was meant to unite the races.
On the issue of national unity, Malaysians were split with 48% agreeing that the country was becoming more united, 43% feeling otherwise, and 9% did not know or failed to respond to the question.
The two main issues that Malaysians felt divided the nation were political instability due to politicians bickering with one another and a lack of understanding and respect between the various races.
The poll was conducted between Jan 21 and April 26 this year. Merdeka Centre released the findings to the media this morning.
A total of 3,141 Malaysians aged 19 and above were interviewed across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak comprising 51% Malays, 26% Chinese, 7% Indian, 9% other Muslim Bumiputeras and 7% non-Muslim Bumiputeras.
Malays see corruption as the main threat
Meanwhile, the survey also discovered that among Malay respondents, 70% agreed that corruption among the community’s leaders was the main threat to the Malay/ Bumiputera’s political position as opposed to “demands made by other races in the country”.
Mederka Centre also noted that the public were sceptical towards the government with respect to prudence in public spending and providing access to aid.
The survey found that 53% disagreed with the statement that the government was spending public funds prudently while 63% were not confident that the government’s assistance was reaching the needy.
There were also marked differences between public attitudes in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak. For example, only 35% of Peninsular Malaysia respondents agreed that the government was spending public funds prudently while the figure for Sabah and Sarawak was 45%.
The survey, which covered public attitude towards national unity, trust in government and democratic participation, found that Malaysians were united in their lack of interest in national politics and sense of powerlessness in influencing the government.
In related questions, the survey found that 58% of Malaysians reported that they were not interested in the country’s politics while an even larger proportion of 66% said that they were incapable of bringing about the changes they wish to see in the country.
Quizzed on the changes, 27% chose “making the country more democratic”, 20% wanted “making the education system world class” and 11% wanted a “reduction in the gap between rich and poor Malaysians”, among others.
The survey also found that Bumiputera respondents were also split on who they felt benefited from government assistance – 48% felt that government programmes “benefited ordinary people” but 45% believed that these programmes “benefited the rich and politically connected”.
According to a survey by Merdeka Centre, 46% of the non-Bumiputera respondents were of the opinion that the concept was to woo non-Malay voters while 39% felt that it was meant to unite the races.
On the issue of national unity, Malaysians were split with 48% agreeing that the country was becoming more united, 43% feeling otherwise, and 9% did not know or failed to respond to the question.
The two main issues that Malaysians felt divided the nation were political instability due to politicians bickering with one another and a lack of understanding and respect between the various races.
The poll was conducted between Jan 21 and April 26 this year. Merdeka Centre released the findings to the media this morning.
A total of 3,141 Malaysians aged 19 and above were interviewed across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak comprising 51% Malays, 26% Chinese, 7% Indian, 9% other Muslim Bumiputeras and 7% non-Muslim Bumiputeras.
Malays see corruption as the main threat
Meanwhile, the survey also discovered that among Malay respondents, 70% agreed that corruption among the community’s leaders was the main threat to the Malay/ Bumiputera’s political position as opposed to “demands made by other races in the country”.
Mederka Centre also noted that the public were sceptical towards the government with respect to prudence in public spending and providing access to aid.
The survey found that 53% disagreed with the statement that the government was spending public funds prudently while 63% were not confident that the government’s assistance was reaching the needy.
There were also marked differences between public attitudes in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak. For example, only 35% of Peninsular Malaysia respondents agreed that the government was spending public funds prudently while the figure for Sabah and Sarawak was 45%.
The survey, which covered public attitude towards national unity, trust in government and democratic participation, found that Malaysians were united in their lack of interest in national politics and sense of powerlessness in influencing the government.
In related questions, the survey found that 58% of Malaysians reported that they were not interested in the country’s politics while an even larger proportion of 66% said that they were incapable of bringing about the changes they wish to see in the country.
Quizzed on the changes, 27% chose “making the country more democratic”, 20% wanted “making the education system world class” and 11% wanted a “reduction in the gap between rich and poor Malaysians”, among others.
The survey also found that Bumiputera respondents were also split on who they felt benefited from government assistance – 48% felt that government programmes “benefited ordinary people” but 45% believed that these programmes “benefited the rich and politically connected”.
FMT
09/07/10
No comments:
Post a Comment