Survey: Malay Electorates’ Concern is Inflation!

Malays in Kelantan, Penang, Terengganu, and Kedah are more concerned about the cost of living and economy-related matters than social issues like race, and religion. That’s from a survey by Merdeka Center in August 2023.

The overwhelming number one concern for Malays was inflation and the cost of living, with this issue being the first that was mentioned by 64.9 per cent of Malays polled in Terengganu, and 61.5 per cent (Terengganu), 52.3 per cent (Kelantan) and 59.5 per cent (Penang).

Source: https://www.wikiimpact.com

Issues related to money and the economy also dominated the minds of Malays in all four states, with 6.1 per cent in Kelantan citing economic growth, 5.6 per cent in Kedah, 5.2 per cent in Terengganu and 4.7 per cent in Penang. Similarly, Malays also wanted resolution to employment issues at 6.7 per cent (Kelantan), 5.4 per cent (Terengganu), five per cent (Kedah), while this was a much lower concern among Malays in Penang (1.4 per cent).

Corruption was the top-most concern among 7.4 per cent of Malays in Penang, and to a lesser extent in Kelantan (3.3 per cent), three per cent (Terengganu) and 2.4 per cent (Kedah).

People’s welfare was a top concern for 4.5 per cent of Malays surveyed in Terengganu, 4.1 per cent (Penang), four per cent (Kelantan), and 3.4 per cent (Kedah). State water supply management stood out as a concern for Malays in Kelantan at 9.3 per cent and in Kedah at 5.1 per cent, as compared to 0.9 per cent (Penang) and 0.4 per cent (Terengganu).

While race and religion have often been featured during elections or otherwise, Malay electorate in these states were generally found to be least concerned about such issues.

The issue of maintaining the position of Islam was also only cited by 0.2 per cent of Malays in Kelantan and 1.8 per cent in Terengganu, while 2.7 per cent cited this in Penang. Similarly, social issues like drugs and crimes, flood mitigation, local government services were also generally not the topmost concern of Malays in these states.

Has the Government done enough? No! That’s not my view but the majority of those in B40. Net food imports of up to RM70-75 billion annually raise prices of most food items due to exchange rate depreciation. Meanwhile, we evict genuine farmers from their tenanted lands in Perak and Pahang. Next we cannot increase cash transfers to the B40 because our budget deficit will increase. Then affordable homes are not available because others have used the money that was meant for SPNB (to be build homes). Rental rates go up in urban centres and the poor are then evicted (please read FMT’s article on Muggnisuari’s plight on 24 October 2023). 

So, what has the Government done? Created a committee to monitor cost of living! What else? Well, maintained most subsidies for now, kept OPR at 3.0% and provided cash transfers to the B40. Is that enough? 

Reference:

Survey: Malay voters’ concern is about inflation and economy surpass race, religion, social issues, Ida Lim, Malay Mail, 11 August 2023