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Majority of Malaysians polled want change of govt

KUALA LUMPUR — An overwhelming majority of Malaysians polled in a recent survey said they want a change of government and leadership, as the nation marked 58 years of independence yesterday, reflecting concerns over the current political crisis in the country.

A protester joins thousands in Kuala Lumpur during the two-day Bersih (The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections) rally, which ended on Sunday. Photo: AP

A protester joins thousands in Kuala Lumpur during the two-day Bersih (The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections) rally, which ended on Sunday. Photo: AP

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KUALA LUMPUR — An overwhelming majority of Malaysians polled in a recent survey said they want a change of government and leadership, as the nation marked 58 years of independence yesterday, reflecting concerns over the current political crisis in the country.

The online survey conducted by The Malaysian Insider, a news portal, showed that 67 per cent of those polled wanted a change in government, while 22 per cent wanted better leadership. Nine per cent said they hoped for better economic prospects.

As many as 66 per cent said they were worried about the current state of affairs in the country, while 14 per cent are sad about the state of affairs. Only 13 per cent of those polled were happy with the government.

A total of 8,922 readers participated in the poll, which was conducted on the news website from Aug 20 to 29.

“A combined 80 per cent of people are either worried for the nation or sad. One would initially think this is a result of both a weak economy and political scandals, but nearly 90 per cent actually want change of government or better leadership with fewer than 10 per cent going for better economic prospects,” said political analyst Dr Oh Ei Sun from Singapore’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

“This indicates that people understand that the paramount propelling force for nation-building in this country is politics and not economy, and that politics drives the economy and not the other way around,” Dr Oh noted.

“They believe that by resolving the political crisis first and foremost, the economy could then essentially take care of itself,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

Three questions were posed in the online poll. The first was: “What is one wish you have for this nation?” The second was: “How do you feel as Malaysia celebrates Merdeka (independence)?” And the final question was: “What is one problem you wished would be resolved before Merdeka?”

For the third question, 33 per cent said they wanted the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal solved, while 26 per cent pointed to the declining value of the ringgit. Another 24 per cent said the top priority was the growing racial and religious divide, while 17 per cent of voters were concerned with the curbing of freedom of speech.

Dr Lim Teck Ghee, director of the Centre for Policy Initiatives in Kuala Lumpur, said the poll appeared to show that a change in government and leadership — any change — would be welcomed by most Malaysians.

“Malaysians are so fed up with the unresolved scandals and growing racial and religious divide,” he noted.

The poll results come as tens of thousands of Malaysians gathered on the streets of Kuala Lumpur over the weekend to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Mr Najib has been under intense political pressure after The Wall Street Journal alleged in July that RM2.6 billion (S$874 million) was transferred from companies linked to state investment firm 1MDB to the Premier’s personal bank accounts before the 2013 general election.

Investigations later revealed that the monies were political donations from the Middle East.

If the RM2.6 billion were used in the 2013 campaign, it would mean that the ruling coalition had spent more than 26 times the allowed amount, as outlined by Malaysian laws.

There are also concerns with the Malaysian economy as the ringgit is at a 17-year low against the US dollar. AGENCIES

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