SABAH VOTERS DISSATISFIED WITH ECONOMIC

BANGI : 57% of Sabah voters polled during a recent survey by Merdeka Center said they were dissatisfied with the economy in Sabah. The survey also noted that sentiments on other economic indicators were lower in this recent survey compared an earlier survey conducted in November 2009.

The results are as follows:

Satisfaction with Chief Minister Sliding

The survey also found that voter satisfaction for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had slid from 60% in November 2009 to 45% in September 2012. While the decline was recorded across all ethnic groups, it was largest from among Muslim Bumiputera respondents, falling 21% from 72% to 51%.

Voter satisfaction for the state government remained in positive territory at 56% but also reflected a 6% decline from 62% in November 2009.

At the same time, the survey found that voter satisfaction towards Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak remained stable and high at 75%, roughly similar compared to 77% in November 2009.

In our view, the marked difference in voter perceptions towards key political leadership and the state government reflected a “Sabah-centric” sentiment exhibited by voters. It also indicates that voters had different expectations on political leadership at various levels.

This is the second and last release from the survey carried out by the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research between the 6th and 17th of September 2012. The goal of the survey was to gauge voters’ perceptions of current developments in Sabah.

829 registered voters comprising 51% Muslim Bumiputra, 29% Non-Muslim Bumiputra and 20% Chinese respondents; reflective of electoral profile of Sabah was interviewed via fixed line and mobile telephones.

Respondents were selected on the basis of random stratified sampling along age group, ethnicity, gender and state constituency. The poll was jointly funded by Merdeka Center and a regional consultancy firm. (MERDEKA CENTER)