Umno senator claims Rantau voters growing worried about Islam's status

Umno senator Khairul Azwan Harun today claimed that concerns about the position of Islam are on the rise among voters in Rantau.

This was based, he said, on a survey conducted by the Centre for Government Political Studies (Cent-GPS), which he co-founded.

According to Khairul, the survey polled some 600 voters, with two-thirds being over the age of 30, and 59 percent being Malay.

He declined to reveal details of the survey when requested, however.

The exact demography and methodology are not known, as Khairul told Malaysiakini that the survey cannot be made public – only stating that "standard polling" was used, with an error margin of four percent.

"From the survey, we found out that the availability of jobs and the cost of living are the most pertinent issue on the minds of voters. Individually, these two concerns were noted by over 60 percent of the respondents.”

"Interestingly, social and religious concerns are on the rise, with as many as 50 percent of the subjects noting concerns for the position of Islam in Malaysia," he said in a statement.

In terms of popularity, Khairul claimed that 79 percent of respondents favoured three-term Rantau assemblyperson and acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan.

"Amongst Pakatan Harapan leaders, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is still the most popular, receiving some 72 percent favorability ratings among those surveyed.

"Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim come second, both obtaining around 50 percent in the recognition for their work in the past few months," he said.

"In the BN camp, Mohamad is the most popular, followed by Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, both local leaders.

"Interestingly, (Sembrong MP) Hishammuddin Hussein received a greater approval rating than former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak," he added.

Earlier today, Mohamad called for a healthy campaign for the April 13 by-election that will not undermine racial harmony in the constituency.

Umno and PAS were accused of drumming up racial and religious sentiments in the previous by-election in Semenyih.

Mohamad himself was at the centre of controversy of late, after saying that Malays have been sidelined since last year's general election, and that those who were previously "penumpang (squatters)" now live in the "big house."

The Rantau by-election will see a four-cornered fight between Mohamad, Harapan's Dr S Streram, and two independents, namely R Malar and Mohd Nor Yasin. - Mkini