Media Release

Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll

1st June 2009
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Media Release

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MERDEKA CENTER FOR OPINION RESEARCH

901B Diamond Complex, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi,
Selangor, MALAYSIA

Tel: 603 8210 1488/1499 Fax: 603 8210 1466

Email: info@merdeka.org
Web: www.merdeka.org

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Media Release

Methodology

• 1067 randomly selected registered voters aged 21+ were interviewed via
telephone for the survey

• Respondents were selected via random stratified sampling method along the
lines of state of residence, ethnicity, gender and age

• Survey was carried out between 6th – 15th May 2009

• Survey margin of error estimated at ±3.10%

• Important events during survey period: May 7 Perak state assembly sitting,
mass arrest following Perak state sitting, Wong Chin Huat arrested and
released, HINDRAF trio released, High Court declared Nizar as rightful Perak
MB, Court of Appeal granted stay to Zambry, and Malaysia confirmed 1st
A(H1N1) influenza case.

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Media Release

Respondent Profile pt.1

Region
Ethinicity Age
60% 56% 30% 27%
25%
40% 34% Central
19% 38% Eastern
20% 17%
19%
20% 10% 12%
10%
0% Northern Southern
Malay Chinese Indian 19% 24%
-20% 0%
21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Above 60

Education Level
Setting Gender
60%
49%

40%

Urban Rural Male Female 25%

51% 49% 49% 51% 20%
11% 10%
4%
1%
0%
No formal Primary Secondary Diploma & Degree No response
education school school equivalent
Media Release
Religion
Respondent Profile pt. 2 80%

Occupation
60% 57%
40%
30%
23% 40%

20%
14% 22%
13%
10% 20%
5% 8% 6%
2% 1% 2% 3% 3% 1%
0% 0%
None Islam Buddhism HinduismChristianity Taoist No response
Business owner

Unemployed

Student

Retired

Lost ability to work

Employed - Govt

Homemaker
Employed - Private

Self employed

Monthly household income Internet access

80%
60%
67%
40%
40% 60%
26%
20% 12% 12% 40%
6% 4%
0% 18%
20%
< RM1,500 RM1,501 – RM3,001 – > RM5,000 Don't know No response
RM3,000 RM5,000 5% 5% 2% 3%
-20%
0%
At home Workplace/ At home and Other No internet No response
school workplace/ locations access
school
Media Release

Overview

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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

Considering the conditions in the Malaysia today, how strongly would you say
that things are heading in the right or wrong direction?

Right direction Wrong direction

80%

60%
60%

45% 46%
42%

40%
35%
41%
29%
Apr 3:
Najib took
over as PM
20%
Oct 08 3 - 9 Mar 09 27 Mar - 2 Apr 09 6 - 15 May 09

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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

Considering the conditions in the country today, how strongly would you say
that things are heading in the right or wrong direction?

60% 57%
51% 50%

42% 43%
41%
40%
39% 34%
35% 33%
30% 30% 31%

20% 27% 16%

32%

16% 18% 15% 16% 17%

12% 11% 12%
7% 7% 8%
0% 1%
Don't know

Don't know

Don't know

Don't know
Right direction

Wrong direction

Right direction

Wrong direction

Right direction

Wrong direction

Right direction

Wrong direction
Overall (1067) Malay (602) Chinese (364) Indian (101)

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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

Generally speaking, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way things
are going in the country at present?
Peninsula

80%
March 8th
71%

66%

60%
Aug 26:
Aug 23: Fuel Permatang
Jan 17: KT 51%
prices Pauh by-
by-election
reduced for election
June 5:
44% the 1st time 43%
Petrol hike
by 40% 39%
38%
40% 36%

28% Sept 16th Apr 3:

Najib took
Aug 7: Anwar’s over as PM
sodomy charges
20%
4 - 14 Jul 08

3 - 9 Mar 09

6 - 15 May 09
29 Feb - 4 Mar 08

15 - 23 Aug 08
5-7 Mar 08

23 Oct - 8 Nov 08

4 - 16 Feb 09
30 Apr - 5 May 08

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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

What in your view, is the most important problem that needs solving in the
country today?
Unfavourable economic condition in general 15%
Crime & public safety in general 9%
Political instability in general 8%
Don't know 8%
Price hike/ inflation/ rising cost of living 7%
Lack of employment opportunities 5%
Social problems among youth 5%
Racial inequality 5%
No problem 5%
Others 4%
Mat rempit/ illegal racing 3%
Lack of unity among Malaysians 3%
Other economic issues 2% Aggregated
Influx of migrants (effecting jobs & safety) 2%
Moral decline 2% Economic issues 31%
Poverty & developmental issues 2%
Corruption & cronyism 2%
Quality of governance/ civil service 2%
Social issues 12%
Drug abuse 1%
Neglecting religion/ religious teachings 1% Crime & public safety 11%
Education issues (PPSMI, schools etc.) 1%
Fair treatment 1% Political issues 9%
Malay issues (Rights, split in the community etc.) 1%
Listen to/ take care of the people 1%
Racial issues 6%
Quality of politicians/ leadership 1%
Bickering & power struggle among politicians 1%
Perak political crisis 1%
Corruption 2%
Undemocratic
U & authoritarian practices (govt, court, ISA) 1%
No response 1%
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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

What in your view, is the most important problem that needs solving in the
country today?
Economic issues Crime & public safety Social problems
Corruption & power abuse Racial issues Political issues
59%
60% 55%

50%
48%
50% 45% 44%

37% 38%
40%
33% 33%
31%

30%
24%
21%

20%
13% 12% 13%
10% 11%
10%
4% 9%
3%
1%
3%
0%
Jul-08

Dec-08
Aug-08

Sep-08
5-7 Mar 08

3 - 9 Mar 09
14-21 Mar 08

23 Oct - 8 Nov 08

27 Mar - 2 Apr 09

6 - 15 May 09
30 Apr - 5 May 08

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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

Confidence in the economy shows some improvement

Moving on to the subject of the economy, please tell me if you think it is
favourable or unfavourable at the present time... The economy in general
Peninsula M'sia

80% % saying favorable

60% 61%

59%

40%

39%
24%
24%

20%

0%
9-19 Feb 08 23-27 Feb 08 4-14 Jul 08 Mar 09 May 09

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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

Likewise, optimism in economic prospects is improving

How do you expect the economy to be one year from now?

Peninsula M'sia
% saying will improve
70%

60%

49%
50% 47%

40%
40%

31%
29%
30%

20%
20%

10%
9-19 Feb 08 23-27 Feb 08 4-14 Jul 08 23 Oct - 8 Nov 08 Mar 09 May 09

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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

Moving on to the subject of the economy, please tell me if you think … is

favourable or unfavourable at the present time... Your personal income, prices
of consumer goods and services, job opportunities, business opportunities
Personal income Prices of consumer items and services Job opportunities Business opportunities

60%
60%
% saying favorable
50%
47% 46%
49%
46%
40% 37%
34%
36%
33% 35%
26%
26%
29%

24% 25%
20%
20%

13% 14%

8%

0%
23-27 Feb 08 Jul 08 Oct-Nov 08 Mar 09 May 09

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Media Release Tracking on Economic Issues
Merdeka Center Archives

How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with way the government is managing the
economy at present?
Peninsula M'sia

80%

% saying satisfied

59%
60%
54%

40%
36%

31%

20%
9-19 Feb 08 23-27 Feb 08 4-14 Jul 08 23 Oct - 8 Nov 08

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Media Release

Public Perceptions of
Recent Policies

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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

Public awareness of economic liberalization measures

remain limited
Are you aware of the liberalisation of the services sector announced by Prime
Minister Najib Razak recently?
Yes No/ Don't know

80% 77%

63%
60% 55%
51% 48%
45%
40% 36%

23%
20%

0%
Overall (1067) Malay (602) Chinese (364) Indian (101) 17
Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

Strong approval for liberalization policy from non-Bumiputeras

How strongly do you agree of disagree with the liberalization of the services
sector announced by Prime Minister Najib Razak recently?
80%
70% 69%

60% 15%
52%
42%
40% 37%
30%

25% 21% 54%

20% 17% 41%
32% 8%
8% 28% 10% 8% 23%
22% 20%
9% 12% 13% 8% 4%
0% 2% 4%
Agree

Agree

Agree

Agree
Disagree

Disagree

Disagree

Disagree
DK/ NR

DK/ NR

DK/ NR

DK/ NR
Overall (1067) Malay (602) Chinese (364) Indian (101)
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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

How confident are you that the liberalization of the services sector will bring in
more investment and job opportunities?
80%

67%

56% 58%
60%
53% 20%

40%
36% 34% 45%
21% 22% 21%
47% 17%
20%
15% 24% 15% 25% 17% 22%
20% 19% 13% 17%
13%
6% 7% 4% 4%
0%
Not confident

Not confident

Not confident

Not confident
Confident

Confident

Confident

Confident
DK/ NR

DK/ NR

DK/ NR

DK/ NR
Overall (1067) Malay (602) Chinese (364) Indian (101)
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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

How confident are you that liberalizing the financial sector by allowing higher
foreign ownership will bring in more investment and job opportunities?
80%

66%
60%
60% 55% 16%
51%

40%
35% 34% 45%
28% 33%
19% 19% 50% 19%
20% 18%
9% 26%
20% 17% 18% 15% 16% 15% 17% 21%
10% 10%
0% 2%
Not confident

Not confident

Not confident

Not confident
Confident

Confident

Confident

Confident
DK/ NR

DK/ NR

DK/ NR

DK/ NR
Overall (1067) Malay (602) Chinese (364) Indian (101)
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Media Release

Approval Rating

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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

How strongly do you satisfied or dissatisfied of the way Najib Razak is performing his job
as the prime minister? (% saying satisfied (May 2009) or agree)
Note: Prior to May 2009, question was worded as: “In your view, how strongly
do you agree or disagree that Najib Tun Razak would make a good prime
minister? “
Peninsula Msia
Najib took
80% over as PM
on Apr 3

60%

46% 45%
43% 44%
40% 41%
40%
34% 34%

20%

0%
Mar 08 Jul 08 Sept 08 23 Oct - 8 Nov 08 Dec 08 3 - 9 Mar 09 27 Mar - 2 Apr 09 6 - 15 May 09

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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

How strongly do you satisfied or dissatisfied of the way Najib Razak is performing his job
as the prime minister?
80%

64%
60%
53%

45%

40%
31% 52%

31%
24% 23% 53%
20% 16% 39% 15%
13% 34%
16%
22% 23%
11% 11% 21%
14% 9%
12%
5% 4% 7% 4%
0% 1%
Dissatisfied

DK/ NR

DK/ NR

DK/ NR

DK/ NR
Dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

Dissatisfied
Satisfied

Satisfied

Satisfied

Satisfied
Overall (1067) Malay (602) Chinese (364) Indian (101)

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Media Release Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009
6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

What in your view is the most important issue the Prime Minister needs to address?

Address economic issues 23%

Don't know 12%

Fair treatment to all races 7%

Give assistance to the poor and rural areas/ poverty 7%

Solve social problems 6%

Unite all races/ strengthen ethnic relations 5%

Reduce prices 5%

Fight corruption 5%

Solve crime and public safety 5%

Stabilise political situation in the country 5%

None 5%

Solve conflicts in Perak 3%

Others 3%

Uphold Islam & Malay special privileges 2%

Revamp certain policies (PPSMI, ISA, education etc.) 2%

Revamp BN / UMNO / administration 2%

No response 2%

Clear allegations against him/ regain the trust of the people 1%

No confidence in Najib in solving any problem at all 1%

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