Malays least confident with Unity Govt economic policies – survey

(Sinar Daily) – Most Malays have doubts on Malaysia’s economy under the Pakatan-Barisan Government.

This perception was revealed in a survey on the people’s sentiments in regards to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his administration’s performance following their 100 days in office.

The study involving 35,077 participants conducted by research form O2 Malaysia with five mainstream media namely Sinar Harian, Awani, The Star, Sin Chew dan Malaysia Namban for 10 days from Feb 6 to 16.

Over half of the respondents were male Malays from the Peninsular. Notably, majority of the respondents were also adults at over 40 years of age, live in the West Coast and had a monthly household income of less than RM4,500.

When asked about the country’s post-GE15 (15th General Election) economy up to February, over half of the Malays felt that it getting worse. In contrast to other races including Indians, Chinese, Borneo’s Bumiputera more than half of each of them perceived that it has gotten better.

In regards to the current state of economy, 60 per cent of the Malays also felt it weak while the rest of the ethnicities all believed that the economy was strong.

Both the Indians and Chinese participants shared the same score of 76 per cent indicating that Malaysia was on track heading for a good economic future.

While Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputeras were all on board with an average percentage of 60 on the same positive outlook. However, only 43 per cent of the Malays felt the country was headed for the right direction.

Back in November last year, Anwar-led Pakatan Harpaan – short of the 112 seats – formed the Unity Government with the support of Barisan Nasional (30 seas) and East Malaysia’s Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Warisan who raked in total 31 seats.

The opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional trailed close behind with 73 seats, with Pas winning 49 seats, the most number of seats in Parliament.

After a five-day political impasse following inconclusive polls, Anwar was finally sworn in as the 10th Prime Minister at Istana Negara on Nov 24, 2022, ending one of the most dramatic elections in Malaysia’s history after no party managed to secure a majority to form a government for the first time since independence in 1957.