Poll Report 1 June 2009

Media Release

Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll 1st June 2009 1

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: [email protected] 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

56%

60%

34%

40%

27%

30%

20%

25% Central 38%

19%

17%

20%

12%

10% 10%

0% Malay

Chinese

Northern 19%

Indian

Eastern 19%

Southern 24%

0%

-20%

21-30

Setting

31-40

41-50

51-60

Above 60

Education Level

Gender 60%

49% 40%

Urban 51%

Rural 49%

Male 49%

Female 51%

25% 20%

11% 4%

10% 1%

0% No formal education

Primary school

Secondary school

Diploma & equivalent

Degree

No response

Media Release Religion

Respondent Profile pt. 2

80%

Occupation

57%

60%

40%

30% 40%

23% 20%

10%

14% 5%

22%

13% 2%

20%

8%

3%

2%

1%

3%

6%

1%

0% None

Lost ability to work

Retired

Homemaker

Student

Unemployed

Self employed

Employed - Private

Employed - Govt

Business owner

0%

Internet access

Monthly household income 80%

60% 40%

Islam Buddhism HinduismChristianity Taoist No response

67% 40%

60%

26% 20%

12%

12%

6%

40%

4%

0% -20%

< RM1,500 RM1,501 – RM3,001 – > RM5,000 Don't know No response RM3,000 RM5,000

20%

18% 5%

5%

2%

3%

0% At home

Workplace/ At home and school workplace/ school

Other locations

No internet No response access

Media Release

Overview

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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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%

46%

45%

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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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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? 57%

60%

51% 43%

41%

40%

39%

35% 31%

7%

Right direction

Don't know

Right direction

Wrong direction Overall (1067)

Malay (602)

12%

17% 8%

1%

Chinese (364)

Wrong direction

7%

0%

16%

Don't know

15%

32%

Right direction

18%

Don't know

16%

Wrong direction

11%

16%

Don't know

27%

20%

12%

33%

30%

Wrong direction

30%

34%

Right direction

42%

50%

Indian (101)

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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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%

June 5: Petrol hike by 40%

40%

51%

Jan 17: KT by-election 43% 39%

38%

28%

36%

Sept 16th

Apr 3: Najib took over as PM 3 - 9 Mar 09

4 - 16 Feb 09

23 Oct - 8 Nov 08

4 - 14 Jul 08

30 Apr - 5 May 08

5-7 Mar 08

29 Feb - 4 Mar 08

20%

15 - 23 Aug 08

Aug 7: Anwar’s sodomy charges

6 - 15 May 09

44%

Aug 26: Permatang Pauh byelection

Aug 23: Fuel prices reduced for the 1st time

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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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%

Influx of migrants (effecting jobs & safety)

2%

Moral decline

2%

Poverty & developmental issues

2%

Corruption & cronyism

2%

Quality of governance/ civil service

2%

Drug abuse

1%

Neglecting religion/ religious teachings

1%

Education issues (PPSMI, schools etc.)

1%

Fair treatment

1%

Malay issues (Rights, split in the community etc.)

1%

Listen to/ take care of the people

1%

Quality of politicians/ leadership

1%

Bickering & power struggle among politicians

1%

Perak political crisis

1%

U Undemocratic & authoritarian practices (govt, court, ISA)

1% 1%

No response

Aggregated Economic issues 31% Social issues 12% Crime & public safety 11% Political issues 9% Racial issues 6% Corruption 2% 10

Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

6 – 15 May 09, n = 1067

What in your view, is the most important problem that needs solving in the country today? Economic issues Corruption & power abuse

Crime & public safety Racial issues

Social problems Political issues

59% 60%

55% 50%

50%

40%

48%

45%

44% 38%

37%

33% 30%

33%

31%

24% 21%

20% 13% 10% 1%

13%

12%

10%

11% 9%

4%

3%

6 - 15 May 09

3 - 9 Mar 09

Dec-08

23 Oct - 8 Nov 08

Sep-08

Aug-08

Jul-08

30 Apr - 5 May 08

14-21 Mar 08

5-7 Mar 08

27 Mar - 2 Apr 09

3%

0%

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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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

% saying favorable

80%

60%

61% 59%

40%

24%

24%

39%

20%

0% 9-19 Feb 08

23-27 Feb 08

4-14 Jul 08

Mar 09

May 09

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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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?

% saying will improve

Peninsula M'sia

70%

60%

50%

49%

47% 40%

40%

29%

30%

31%

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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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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% 33%

35%

36% 26% 26%

29%

20%

25%

24% 20%

13%

14%

Oct-Nov 08

Mar 09

8%

0% 23-27 Feb 08

Jul 08

May 09

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Tracking on Economic Issues

Media Release

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 60%

59% 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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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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

77%

80%

63% 60%

55%

51% 45%

40%

48%

36% 23%

20%

0% Overall (1067)

Malay (602)

Chinese (364)

Indian (101)

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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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% 60%

69% 15%

52% 42%

Overall (1067)

Malay (602)

Chinese (364)

8% 4% 4%

23%

Disagree

DK/ NR

Agree

DK/ NR

Disagree

Agree

DK/ NR

Disagree

Agree

DK/ NR

0%

54% 25% 21% 17% 41% 8% 32% 28% 10% 8% 22% 20% 13% 12% 8% 9% 2% Disagree

20%

37%

30%

Agree

40%

Indian (101) 18

Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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% 58%

53%

34%

45% 22%

21%

21%

47% 17%

20%

Overall (1067)

Malay (602)

Chinese (364)

DK/ NR

Not confident

Confident

DK/ NR

Not confident

Confident

DK/ NR

Not confident

Confident

0%

15% 25% 15% 24% 17% 22% 20% 19% 13% 7% 6% 4%

13% 17% 4%

Indian (101)

DK/ NR

36%

20%

Not confident

40%

56%

Confident

60%

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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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%

50% 19%

Overall (1067)

Malay (602)

Chinese (364)

DK/ NR

Confident

DK/ NR

9%

26%

10% DK/ NR

19%

Not confident

19%

17% 18% 15% 16% 15% 17% 21% 10% 2% Not confident

Confident

20%

45%

Confident

28% 18%

20%

0%

33%

34%

Not confident

35%

Confident

40%

16%

51%

DK/ NR

55%

60%

Not confident

60%

66%

Indian (101) 20

Media Release

Approval Rating

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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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? “ Najib took over as PM on Apr 3

Peninsula Msia

80%

60% 46% 40% 40%

43%

41%

34%

44%

45%

27 Mar - 2 Apr 09

6 - 15 May 09

34%

20%

0% Mar 08

Jul 08

Sept 08

23 Oct - 8 Nov 08

Dec 08

3 - 9 Mar 09

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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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% 52%

31%

Overall (1067)

Malay (602)

Satisfied

1%

15%

16% 12%

7%

Chinese (364)

11%

21%

4% DK/ NR

9% 4%

DK/ NR

Satisfied

Dissatisfied

5%

0%

23%

53%

Dissatisfied

22%

11%

34%

23%

DK/ NR

13%

Satisfied

14%

39%

DK/ NR

16%

Dissatisfied

20%

24%

Dissatisfied

31%

Satisfied

40%

Indian (101)

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Peninsula Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll Q2/ 2009

Media Release

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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