KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 — More Malaysians surveyed recently are upbeat about the country's direction ahead of the 15th general election (GE15), compared to how they were before the previous election in 2018.
The survey by market research firm Ipsos in October this year also found that more respondents are concerned about inflation now while financial and political corruption worries have fallen since April 2018.
“Much has happened since GE14 in May 2018 – Malaysia and the world have gone through the Covid pandemic, which was swiftly followed by geopolitical tensions – these major events have led to a more uncertain economic environment, in which GE15 takes place," said Ipsos Malaysia Public Affairs associate director Lars Erik Lie in a statement.
"Despite socioeconomic concerns, Malaysians go to the ballot with a somewhat more positive outlook than four years ago. 45 per cent of the population think the country is going in the right direction, compared to 35 per cent ahead of the last national vote.”
Ipsos said that while corruption remains a major concern among Malaysians surveyed, it was not at the same level it was ahead of the last election.
Its survey showed that 56 per cent of respondents in 2022 are worried about corruption, a fall from 66 per cent in 2018.
However, those who were worried about inflation jumped from 24 per cent of 2018 respondents to 43 per cent this year.
Poverty and social inequality remained the third most pressing concern among the respondents.
"Now, socioeconomic concerns are more evident – worry about inflation has almost doubled since GE14, and poverty and social inequality are on people’s minds more than it was before.
"Concern about Covid-19, which was all-encompassing for much of the last 2-3 years, has been largely subdued," Lie said.
Its latest survey showed that only 14 per cent of respondents are worried about Covid-19 now, compared to the record high of 83 per cent in August 2021.
In comparison, concern over inflation is currently at a record high.
The result is part of Ipsos' monthly survey in 28 countries around the world via an online panel system, with 500 Malaysians surveyed each time.
