The state of the economy remains closest to the hearts of voters, ahead of other issues such as Islamisation and national politics, according to a survey carried out by think-tank Merdeka Center in June.

The survey, involving more than two dozen questions for each respondent, found that most Malaysians are very concerned with "bread and butter" issues and that the upsurge of crime is perceived to be the country's biggest problem.

There is also a disparaging difference of opinions between Malay and Chinese voters; the former tends to be satisfied with many government policies which the latter opposes.

The survey, carried out through phone interviews involving 1,022 respondents throughout Peninsular Malaysia, was to gauge views of voters and its impact on the coming election.

The poll which include a random selection of respondents aged 21 and above from all states was done over one week between June 14-20.

"In general, there is a negative outlook towards the future of the economy. The announcement of pay rise for civil servants did not lessen negativity towards the economy," said Merdeka Center director Ibrahim Suffian ( photo) at a talk organised by University of Malaya faculty of economics and administration and Transparency International Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Ibrahim said respondents showed increased general dissatisfaction with the state of the economy.

On the country's economic outlook, only 45 percent of the Chinese felt it is favourable, compared to the Malays (76 percent) and the Indians (58 percent).

On whether economic conditions have improved in the past three years, only 34 percent of the Chinese felt it has, compared to the Indians (76 percent) and Malays (74 percent).

On whether the economic situation would improve in a year, only 35 percent of the Chinese felt it would, compared to the Malays (75 percent) and Indians (70 percent).

Only 44 percent of the Chinese are satisfied with job opportunities compared to the Indians (63 percent) and Malays (53 percent). In addition, only 39 percent of the Chinese and 40 percent of Indians are satisfied with business opportunities compared to the Malays (66 percent).

Asked whether they were satisfied with the way the government is managing the economy at present, only 32 percent of Chinese respondents said they were, compared to the Malays (75 percent) and Indians (60 percent).

"We found that issues usually have a shelf life of six months. After that, it completely disappears. But not the oil price hike. It's been a year and a half and the issue is still around," said Ibrahim.

On the how respondents felt on the New Economic Plan (NEP), Ibrahim said a small majority (45 percent) see the policy as benefiting the rich and politically connected while 36 percent believe it benefited ordinary Malays.

"However, a substantial 19 percent declined to answer the question, which may well reflect an agreement with the second option," said Ibrahim.

"The Malays appear split in this instance while the majority Chinese believe NEP benefits only the rich and politically connected. The majority of Indians believe the NEP benefits ordinary Malays," he said.

National security 

To a question on "the way things are going" in the country , Chinese respondents are the least satisfied (47 percent) while the Malays are the most satisfied (74 percent). Sixty-three percent of Indian respondents said they are satisfied.

Crime was listed as the " most important problem" affecting the country (14 percent), followed by price hike (13 percent), corruption among public service/politicians/police (11 percent) and social problems affecting the youth (9 percent).

Racial inequality (4 percent), education (quality, Chinese schools) (1 percent), environmental issues (1 percent) and problems with national leadership (1 percent) were among issues that ranked lowest.

Only 35 percent of Chinese felt the government "is capable of solving" national issues, compared to 57 percent of Malays. Seventy-one percent of Indians felt the government could solve them.

While crime victims are evenly spread among the three major races, the Chinese feel the most insecure about their safety.

Thirty-seven percent of Chinese respondents said they felt unsafe compared to the Malays (20 percent) and Indians (35 percent).

Malays tend to blame illegal immigrants for causing crimes, while the Chinese feel that worsening economic conditions caused the surge, said Ibrahim. Indians attributed crime to the decline in family and moral values.

On corruption, 75 percent of respondents viewed the situation as unfavourable. The races felt the same on this issue - Malays (76 percent), Chinese (73 percent) and Indians (78 percent).

'Islamisation' supported by Malays

On the issue of perceived Islamisation, only 66 percent of respondents said they were aware of it.

Eighty-three percent of Malays responded positively to Islamisation, while 20 percent of Indians and 16 percent of Chinese responded negatively. Only seven percent of Malays responded negatively to Islamisation while 5 percent said they were unaware of it.

Respondents who were affected positively by Islamisation said it "instills noble values" (29 percent) and helps "reduces social ills and indecency" (8 percent). Only six percent said it was because "Islam is the official religion of Malaysia."

Respondents who affectedly negatively by Islamisation said it was "unfair to followers of other faiths" (16 percent), they were "affected by Islamic cultures which are not compatible" (13 percent), it was "unfair and favours Muslims only" (13 percent). Seven percent felt "Muslims are aggressive and crime still happens."

Asked if they supported Islamisation, 91 percent of the Malays said they supported it, while 82 percent of the Chinese and 58 percent of the Indians oppose it. 

Seventeen percent of Indians said they supported Islamisation. The remaining 19 percent of Indians chose not to respond.

Five percent of Malays oppose Islamisation, while 4 percent of the Chinese support it.

Respondents who support Islamisation said it was because "Islam is the official religion in Malaysia" (27 percent), "Islam provides salvation" (25 percent) and the "teachings of Islam is good" (10 percent).

Only 2 percent said Islamisation would be "able to revive Malaysia as an Islamic state."

Respondents who are against Islamisation said "each race has the freedom of religion" (23 percent), cited "the need to preserve one's religion and way" (23 percent), "Islam has many rules and traditions" (16 percent).

Only 3 percent said it was because "Islam is conservative" while another 2 percent said they "don't understand or confused by Islam Hadhari."

Ibrahim said the survey revealed that the majority of non-Muslims "feel unaffected by" Islamisation. In addition, more Malays and Indians are "aware" of Islamisation compared to the Chinese.

"This means that most people are still very much concerned about bread and butter issues such as the economy and crime, but less concerned about issues relating to rights," said Ibrahim.