KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — The power of religion here was made self-evident via an online survey by research firm Ipsos, with nearly nine in 10 Malaysians rating faith as the prime value in their lives.

The survey results come at a time when Malaysians are again locked in debate over the introduction of hudud, the Islamic penal code, and could provide insight over the support for the polarising topic.

“Belief in God” was by far the value rated as most crucial by locals, with the next closest principles — “respect” and “filial piety” — only chosen by 22 per cent of respondents each as the value most important to them.

“For Malaysians, schooling has an influence with 100 per cent of those attending Islamic religious schools, ranking Belief in God as 1, compared to 87 per cent in public school, 70 per cent in international school and significantly lower (30 per cent) in Chinese schools,” Ipsos said.

Malaysians also did not rank “harmony,” “honesty” and “kindness” highly in comparison to faith, with the values only picked as most important by 13 per cent, 12 per cent, and 10 per cent of respondents.

Despite the turbulence often portrayed in local news, Malaysians were a harmonious people, with nine in 10 agreeing that they wished to live in amity with all.

Malaysians were also very optimistic in their views, with nearly the same number saying it was vital to see the most positive aspects of any situation.

Worryingly for an administration that is seen as clamping on dissent, eight in 10 Malaysians said it was essential that they be allowed to express themselves freely.

Religions has become a key political platform in Muslim majority Malaysia, where politicians and political parties increasingly seek to appeal to their electorate on the basis of their professed contributions to their religion.

The development also comes at a time when sections of Malaysia are beginning to express concern over the gradual infiltration of religion into the affairs of the state and individuals.

The online study, which was conducted by Ipsos & SSI in December 2015, surveyed 1,059 Malaysians and 1,050 Singaporeans of various ages, genders, ethnicities and professions.

The survey is the inaugural segment of what the firm said will be a more comprehensive study of the Malaysian and Singaporean identities.