Voter Opinion Poll 4th Quarter 2007

Awareness and Perspectives on Demonstrations, the Economy

National Issues and Leadership
26 December 2007
Chart 1
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
December 2007

Introduction
Background Methodology

The poll is part of Merdeka Center’s quarterly • 1026 randomly selected registered voters aged
socio-political barometer surveys. 21+ in Peninsular Malaysia were interviewed via
telephone for the survey.

Objectives
• Respondents were selected via random stratified
sampling method along the lines of state of
• Measure public awareness and opinions over residence, ethnicity, gender and age.
recent social and political events.

• Survey was carried out between 14th to 19th

• Continue tracking of top issues and sentiments
over the economy. December 2007.

• Survey margin of error estimated at ±3.10%.

Chart 2
MERDEKA CENTER
 Key Findings

Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll3

Chart
MERDEKA CENTER 4th Quarter 2007 (14 – 19 Dec 2007, n = 1026)
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

Key Findings: Overview

Inflation and crime remain top issues of concern but dissatisfaction over treatment by
government has come to the fore, especially among ethnic Indians.

Concerns over the economy remain high with sentiments mixed over prices, jobs and
business opportunities. Economic optimism for 2008 shows some decline, Malay voters
remain positive but less upbeat.

Confidence in the government in running the economy remains high among Malays but
very low among Chinese.

Approval rating of the Prime Minister has decreased from 71% to 61%.

Chart 4
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

Key Findings: Overview

Overall, voters still see things as headed in the right direction in the country but context
has significantly changed over the past month.

Indian voters sentiments have turned visibly more negative but non-Indian sentiments
have improved probably due to calm after the recent spate of demonstrations and police
action.

Chart 5
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

Overall satisfaction with situation in the country in the month of December

Generally speaking, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way things are
going in the country at present?
Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied Don't know

1%
9%
15%

27%

48%

Chart 6
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

7 pt improvement among Chinese but massive drop in satisfaction among Indians over
the period – down by 18pts from November
Generally speaking, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way things are
going in the country at present?

Satisfaction with the way things are going in the country

Peninsula M'sia Malay Chinese Indian
90%
86%

80% 78% 75% 76%

75% 74%
73% 71%
72%
70% 72% 67%
65%
63% 63%
68%
65%
60%
59% 62%

54% 54%
50% 47%

47% 44%
40%
Nov 06 Apr 07 Jun 07 Sept 07 Oct 07 Dec 07

Chart 7
MERDEKA CENTER NOTE: “Very satisfied” & “somewhat satisfied” aggregated.
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

Less than one-half see the Judiciary in favorable light

I am going to read you a list of items and institutions recently mentioned in the
media, how favourable or unfavourable would you say is your view towards: The
judiciary
Very favourable Somewhat favourable
Somewhat unfavourable Very unfavourable
Don't know No response

1%

18% 7%

7%

38%

29%

Chart 8
MERDEKA CENTER
 The Economy

Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll9

Chart
MERDEKA CENTER 4th Quarter 2007 (14 – 19 Dec 2007, n = 1026)
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

Views on contemporary economy has improved from lows in November into positive
realm
How do you see the current economic conditions in Malaysia compared to 3
years ago?
Strongly improved Somewhat improved Stayed the same
Somewhat declined Strongly declined Don't know

8%
3%
16%

27%

37%
9%

Chart 10
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

Marginal improvement in sentiments among Chinese over the past one month

How do you see the current economic conditions in Malaysia compared to 3

years ago?
Perceived improved economic conditions compared 3 years ago (% saying improved)
Peninsula M'sia Malay Chinese Indian

80% 76% 75%

74%
74% 70%
70% 67% 64%
67%

60% 63% 63% 55% 55%

61%
52%
50% 54% 53%
44% 52%

40%

30% 34% 33%

33%
30%
23%
20%
Nov 06 Apr 07 Jun 07 Sept 07 Oct 07 Dec 07

Chart 11
MERDEKA CENTER NOTE: “Strongly improved” & “somewhat improved” aggregated.
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

Personal income levels still in positive range but sentiments over business and jobs
remain mixed
Moving on the subject of the economy, can you tell how favorable or unfavorable
things are with respect to the following:
Very favourable Somewhat favourable Somewhat unfavourable Very unfavourable Don't know No response

60%

52%

50% 48%

39% 39%
40% 37%

32% 31%
30%
30%

20%
14%
10% 11%
10% 8% 8% 8% 9% 9%
7%
4%
2% 1%
1%
0%
Your personal income Prices of consumer items Job opportunities Business opportunities
and services

Chart 12
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007
Optimism over the economy however has declined by further 2pts - majority now
uncertain or negative

How do you expect the economy to be one year from now?

Strongly improve Somewhat improve Stay the same

Somewhat decline Strongly decline Don't know

19%
11%
7%

30%

25% 8%

Chart 13
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

How do you expect the economy to be one year from now?

Economic optimism (% saying "economy will improve")
Peninsula M'sia Malay Chinese Indian

80% 78% 75%

70% 70%
64%
62% 58%
60% 57%
62% 61% 53%
50% 47%
48% 44%
43%
40% 41%
43%
41%
39%
30% 35%
20% 19% 19%
20%
21%
10%
Nov 06 Apr 07 Jun 07 Sept 07 Oct 07 Dec 07

Chart 14
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

Confidence in government’s ability to manage the economy remains strong…

How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with way the government is managing the
economy at present?

Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied Don't know

4%
9%
13%

32%

42%

Chart 15
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with way the government is managing the
economy at present?
Satisfaction with the government in handling the economy
(% saying very/somewhat satisfied)

Peninsula M'sia Malay Chinese Indian

80%
75% 75%
72%

70% 67% 68%

65% 67%

62% 60%
63%
60%
61% 55%
55%
56% 58%
51%
54%
50%
52%
49%
41%
40%
35%
32% 31%
37%
30%
Nov 06 Apr 07 Jun 07 Sept 07 Oct 07 Dec 07
Chart 16
MERDEKA CENTER
 National Issues
and Concerns

Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll

Chart 17
MERDEKA CENTER 4th Quarter 2007 (14 – 19 Dec 2007’ n = 1026)
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007
Crime, inflation and now, ethnic equality issues, top national concerns in the post-
HINDRAF period

What in your view, is the most important problem affecting Malaysia today?
Price hike & inflation 20%

Unemployment 3%

Other economic problems 1%

Crime / Public safety 12%

Social problems 9%

Drug abuse 2%

Illegal immigrants 3%

Politics 3%

Corruption 3%

Ethnic & inequality 17%

Management of government 2%

Demonstration 7%

Education 1%

Flood 2%
Others 3%

None 4%
Don't know 7%

No response 1% Chart 18
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007
Regardless of what the issue is, public satisfaction with government is low in terms of
resolution with majority dissatisfied

How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with government efforts to solve the
problem? (Top 5 problems)
Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

Demonstration 23% 42% 25% 7%

Social problems 9% 40% 38% 12%

Crime & public safety 1% 31% 50% 16%

Ethnic & inequality 12% 23% 40% 23%

Price hike & inflation 4% 24% 50% 20%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Chart 19
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

Belief in news reports on BERSIH

How far would you say you believe the mainstream news reports on the following
demonstrations/gatherings? Bersih rally
Strongly believe Somewhat believe
Somewhat do not believe Don't believe at all
Does not follow news at all Don't know
No response

1%
9%
3% 8%

11%

36%

32%

Chart 20
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

Belief in news reports on HINDRAF

How far would you say you believe the mainstream news reports on the following
demonstrations/gatherings? HINDRAF rally

Strongly believe Somewhat believe

Somewhat do not believe Don't believe at all
Does not follow news at all Don't know
No response

9% 2%
2%
11%
11%

26% 39%

Chart 21
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

But public prefers discussions rather than arrests

In your view, what would be the most appropriate action that the government
should take in order to address the problem of protests and demonstrations?

Continue with the arrest of the demonstration supporters

Meet and discuss with the protest leaders
Allow the demonstrations to take place with police permits
Others, please specify:
Don't know
No response
2%

4% 8%
6%

16%

64%

Chart 22
MERDEKA CENTER
 Approval Ratings

Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll

Chart 23
MERDEKA CENTER 4th Quarter 2007 (14 – 19 Dec 2007’ n = 1026)
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

The Prime Minister’s approval rating has fallen by 10 points in the past one month

How strongly do you approve or disapprove of the way Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
is performing his job as the prime minister?
Strongly approve Somewhat approve Somewhat disapprove
Strongly disapprove Don't know No response

2%

7%
5% 23%

25%

38%

Chart 24
MERDEKA CENTER
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

How strongly do you approve or disapprove of the way Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
is performing his job as the prime minister?

Abdullah Badaw i's stated approval rating since taking office

20 sen Petrol
95% hike 30 sen Petrol
UMNO GA Announcement
hike UMNO GA of various econ
91% 2006 Dr. M criticism
90% 2007 development
begins
Pay rise for regions
86%
85% 83% 85% civil
83% servants
83% 81%
80% 82%
78% 78% Bersih/
78%
75% 77% 72% 73% 73% Hindraf
74% 74%
70% 71% 71%
70% 71%
68%
65%
63% 61%
60%
15-18 Sept 2005

22-25 Sept 2006

15-19 Jun 2005

22-27 Jun 2005

21-25 Feb 2006

8-12 Jun 2005

1-4 Sept 2005

14 - 22 July 2006
1-5 Dec 2005
Aug 2005

2-4 Mar 2006

Jun 2006
Apr 2005

Apr 2006

Sept 07
Mar 2005

Jun 07
Nov 2004

Nov 2005

Oct 06

Apr 07

Oct 07

Dec 07
Nov 07
Chart 25
MERDEKA CENTER NOTE: “Strongly approve” & “somewhat approve” aggregated.
 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Poll
4th Quarter 2007

The PM lost 8 pts in Malay support but biggest loss among ethnic Indians, a drop of
over 30 points in the past one month

How strongly do you approve or disapprove of the way Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
is performing his job as the prime minister?

Abdullah Badawi's stated approval rating across races

Peninsula M'sia Malay Chinese Indian
90%
84%
80% 79% 84%
80% 86%
80% 79%
82%
73% 73% 76%
72%
70% 70% 71%
71% 73%
71%
68%
62% 57% 61%
60%
62% 54% 53%
55%
50%
47%

42%
40%
38%

30%
Oct 06 Nov 07 Apr 07 Jun 07 Sept 07 Oct 07 Dec 07

Bersih/Hindraf
Chart 26
MERDEKA CENTER NOTE: “Strongly approve” & “somewhat approve” aggregated.