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The Star Moderation Online Survey

Full Report

May 2015

Methodology

Online Survey:

Survey questions were drawn up by GMCC.

Survey was created on the Poll Daddy online survey site.

Links of the Poll Daddy survey questions were embedded on TSOL and highlighted on The Star Moderation print ads as well as The Star Online Facebook page. The Moderation online survey ran for 3 weeks from 21st March to 10th April 2015.

Total number of respondents, N = 5,070

2

Demographic Profiles

3

General Overview

Almost half of the survey respondents are from the 15 - 24 and 25 - 34 years old age groups .

Male 54%

Female 46%

15-24 years

old 21%

25-34 years

old 26%

35-44

years old 17%

45 – 54 years old 17%

55 years and

above 20%


No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015

Gender Age Group

No. of respondents

15 - 24 years old 1,040

25 - 34 years old 1,322

35 - 44 years old 857

45 - 54 years old 850

55 years old and above 999

76% of the respondents for the survey are PMEBs (Professionals, Managers, Executives, Businessman) and Students.

57%

19%

10%

6%

4%

2%

2%

PMEB (Professionals, Managers, Executives,Businessman)

Students

Retirees

Other White Collar (clerks, tellers, etc)

Others

Housewife/Homemaker

Non-professionals (Blue Collar, etc)

No. of respondents

PMEB 2,876

Students 947

Retirees 523

Other White Collar 289

Others 199

Housewife/Homemaker

121

Non-professionals 115

Occupation Percentage %



Half of respondents are Chinese, while almost 2/3 are based in Central region (Kl, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan).

Chinese

53%

Malay 20%

Indian 15%

Others 12%

Central 64%

North 17%

South 7%

Others 5%

East Malaysia

5%

East Coast

(Peninsular) 2%

Race Region

*Others are mostly from locations outside of Malaysia. Eg.-Singapore, Australia, UK, etc. (stated in comments)

*12% of respondents selected Others, a significant number of these respondents chose not to reveal their ethnicity and preferred to be identified as Malaysians (stated in comments)



7

▪ 15 - 24 years old age group ▪ 25 - 34 years old age group ▪ 35 - 54 years old age group ▪ 55 years old and above age group

Age Group Comparison

Race Group Comparison

▪ Malay

▪ Chinese

▪ Indian

National Identity

8

9

How do you identify yourself in Malaysia?

10

69% of all respondents think of themselves as Malaysians, followed by 21% identifying themselves as belonging to racial group. Similar answers across all age groups with the trend being more obvious in the older respondents.

Question: How do you identify yourself in Malaysia? – Age Group Comparison

69% 65% 67% 69% 74%

21% 24% 22% 21% 16%

5% 7% 6% 5% 6% 5% 4% 5% 5% 4%

Overall 15 - 24 years old 25 - 34 years old 35 - 54 years old 55 and above

Others

A person of yourreligion

A person fromyour racial group

As a Malaysian



11

Majority of all race groups (60% Malays, 71% Chinese, 77% Indians) identify themselves as Malaysians, in line with the overall result. One slight difference would be 16% of Malays identifying themselves as a person of their religion compared with the overall result.

Question: How do you identify yourself in Malaysia? – Race Group Comparison

69% 60%

71% 77%

21%

20%

24% 16%

5% 16%

3% 4% 5% 4% 2% 3%

Overall Malay Chinese Indian

Others



As a Malaysian



12

How do you think others identify you?

13

However, 57% think they are identified by others as a person from their racial group. Majority of most age groups feel this way, except the 55 & above group whereby almost half (40%) think others identify them as a Malaysian.

Question: How do you think others identify you? - Age Group Comparison

32% 31% 27% 32% 40%

57% 58% 60%

59% 50%

5% 6% 7% 5% 6%

5% 4% 5% 4% 4%


Others



As a Malaysian



14

Significant majority of Chinese (61%) and Indians (64%) respondents think others identify them by their race. To a lesser degree, answers from Malay respondents reflect similar findings.

Question: How do you think others identify you? – Race Group Comparison

32% 36% 35% 25%

57% 47% 61%

64%

5% 12%

3% 8%

5% 4% 2% 3%


Others



As a Malaysian



15

Who are the top 3 influencers of your identity?

4,049

3,974

2,186

1,549

1,410

1,111

622

306

Family

Friends

Colleagues/Workplace

Media

Government of the day

Teachers/School

Religious teacher/school

Others

80%

% of respondents

Question: Which are top 3 influencers of your identity? (Select 3 only)

Family, Friends and Colleagues/Workplace are the 3 most popular answers overall.

78%

43%

31%

28%

22%

12%

6%



Top Influencers of identity – Age Group Comparison

Family, Friends and Colleagues/Workplace are the top 3 influencers for all age groups, except the 15-24 years old group. 35% of the youngest respondents chose Media as one of their influencers, higher than other age groups.

17

*Numbers in brackets are the percentage of respondents that chose the answer

Rank 15-24 years old 25-34 years old 35-54 years old 55 & above

1 Friends Family Family Family

2 Family Friends Friends Friends

3 Media Colleagues/Workplace Colleagues/Workplace Colleagues/Workplace

4 Teachers/School Media Government of the day Government of the day

5 Colleagues/Workplace Government of the day Media Media

6 Government of the day

Teachers/School Teachers/School Teachers/School

7 Religious teacher/School Religious teach/School Religious teach/School Religious teach/School

(85%)

(84%)

(35%)

(34%)

(24%)

(21%)

(13%)

(80%)

(80%)

(46%)

(31%)

(24%)

(19%)

(16%)

(78%)

(76%)

(51%)

(29%)

(29%)

(19%)

(12%)

(78%)

(74%)

(46%)

(37%)

(17%)

(18%)

(12%)

**Respondents have to select 3 answers from the list of options given The Star Moderation Online Survey


Top Influencers of identity – Race Group Comparison

Family, Friends and Colleagues/Workplace are the top 3 influencers for all race groups. Family especially is very influential among Malays with it chosen by 89% of the group. Media is also a top influencer of identity compared to Government amongst the Malays and Chinese

18


Rank Malay Chinese Indians

1 Family Friends Family

2 Friends Family Friends

3 Colleagues/Workplace Colleagues/Workplace Colleagues/Workplace

4 Media Media Government of the day

5

Teachers/School Government of the day Media

6 Religious teacher/School

Teachers/School Teachers/School

7 Government of the day Religious teacher/School Religious teacher/School

(89%)

(82%)

(46%)

(24%)

(19%)

(18%)

(15%)

(78%)

(77%)

(41%)

(34%)

(33%)

(23%)

(10%)

(78%)

(75%)

(50%)

(32%)

(28%)

(24%)

(10%)

**Respondents have to select 3 answers from the list of options given The Star Moderation Online Survey


Ethnic Relations

19

20

In your opinion, what is the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia?

21

More than half (55%) think the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia is not good.

Question: In your opinion, what is the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia?

39%

24%

20%

16%

2%

Poor

Neutral

Good

Very Poor

Excellent

% of respondents which chose Poor & Very Poor

55%



22

The older age groups feel strongly that the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia is not positive, with more than half choosing “Poor” and “Very Poor” The 15-24 years old group are more positive with only 40% choosing “Poor” and “Very Poor”, while it has higher percentage of respondents who selected “Neutral” and “Good” in comparison to other groups.

Opinion on the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia – Age Group Comparison

16% 8%

16% 19% 19%

39%

32%

36% 42% 44%

24%

32%

25% 20% 18%

20% 25% 20% 17% 18%

2% 2% 2% 2% 1%


Excellent

Good

Neutral

Poor

Very Poor

55%

40% 52%

61% 63%



23

About 60% of Chinese and Indians think the state of ethnic relations in M’sia is negative, mirroring the overall result. However among the Malays, there’s an equal proportion of respondents who feel the situation is positive (38%) as well as negative (37%). A quarter of all race groups are neutral.

Opinion on the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia – Race Group Comparison

16% 8%

16% 19%

39%

29%

41% 41%

24%

24%

25% 22%

20%

34%

16% 15%

2% 4% 1% 2%


Excellent

Good

Neutral

Poor

Very Poor

55%

37%

57% 60%

38%



24

In your view, ethnic relations in the country are…? (Improving/Not Sure/ Worsening)

25

Amongst all respondents, a majority of 73% perceive ethnic relations to be worsening. Similarly, more than 80% of 35-54 years old and 55 & above group think the situation is getting worse. The youngest group is less negative, whereby 22% feel it is improving and a quarter of them are not sure.

Question: In your view, ethnic relations in the country are…? - Age Group Comparison

73%

53%

69% 82% 82%

15%

25%

17%

10% 12% 12%

22% 14%

8% 6%


Improving

Not Sure/Don't Know

Worsening



26

An overwhelming majority of Chinese and Indian respondents view the situation to be worsening (77% and 79% respectively). At the same time more than half of Malays think is it getting worse, while the rest of Malay respondents are either not sure, or think it is improving.

Question: In your view, ethnic relations in the country are…? – Race Group Comparison

73%

57%

77% 79%

15%

21%

14% 13%

12% 22%

10% 8%


Improving

Not Sure/Don't Know

Worsening



27

How many friends from cultural-racial-religious backgrounds different than your own? (*Friends defined as people you are in regular contact with and whom you trust)

28

Overall, 61% of respondents have more than 5 friends from different backgrounds. 55% of the youth selected this answer as compared to a bigger proportion of the older age groups.

Question: How many friends from cultural-racial-religious backgrounds different than

your own?

(*Friends defined as people you are in regular contact with and whom you trust)

6% 7% 7% 5% 4%

16% 19% 18% 12% 15%

18% 20% 19%

15% 18%

61% 55% 57% 67% 63%


More than 5 friends

3-5 friends

1-2 friends

0 friends



29

Overall, 61% of respondents have more than 5 friends from different backgrounds. This finding is similarly reflected in all race groups, though in lesser degree amongst the Chinese.

Question: How many friends from cultural-racial-religious backgrounds different than

your own?

(*Friends defined as people you are in regular contact with and whom you trust)

6% 6% 7% 2%

16% 12% 19%

11%

18% 17%

19%

17%

61% 65% 55%

70%


More than 5 friends

3-5 friends

1-2 friends

0 friends



30

I am interested in meeting friends from different cultural-racial-religious background

31

More than 90% across all age groups agree or somewhat agree with the statement.

Statement: I am interested in meeting friends from different cultural-racial-

religious background

71%

75%

75%

75%

74%

20%

18%

17%

21%

19%

6%

5%

6%

3%

5%

55 and above

35 - 54 years old

25 - 34 years old

15 - 24 years old

Overall

Agree Somewhat Agree Not Sure Somewhat Disagree Disagree



32

More than 90% across all race groups agree or somewhat agree with the statement, though there is lesser percentage of Chinese who fully agree.

Statement: I am interested in meeting friends from different cultural-racial-

religious background

84%

68%

78%

74%

12%

24%

17%

19%

3%

7%

4%

5%

Indian

Chinese

Malay

Overall

Agree Somewhat Agree Not Sure Somewhat Disagree Disagree



33

Discussing issues of racism, discrimination, and oppression make me uncomfortable

34

Overall, almost half feel uncomfortable sometimes discussing issues of racism, discrimination and oppression while 29% are always uncomfortable. This response is reflected similarly amongst the older age groups, whereas 34% of the youth group never feel uncomfortable discussing issues of racism.

Statement: Discussing issues of racism, discrimination, and oppression make

me uncomfortable

34%

29%

29%

25%

29%

45%

44%

42%

38%

43%

1%

1%

2%

3%

2%

20%

25%

27%

34%

26%

55 and above

35 - 54 years old

25 - 34 years old

15 - 24 years old

Overall

Always Sometimes Not Sure/ Don't Know Never



35

Very similar result among Malay and Chinese respondents - almost half feel uncomfortable sometimes discussing issues of racism, discrimination and oppression while about 30% are always uncomfortable.

Statement: Discussing issues of racism, discrimination, and oppression make

me uncomfortable

35%

29%

30%

29%

37%

45%

43%

43%

2%

2%

1%

2%

27%

23%

25%

26%

Indian

Chinese

Malay

Overall

Always Sometimes Not Sure/ Don't Know Never



Issues of Public Interest

36

37

What are the top 3 critical issues that concern you the most in Malaysia?

3,283

2,480

2,365

1,936

1,327

1,132

1018

724

626

245

Economy/Cost of living

Race & religious issues

Crime

Corruption

Education

Freedom ofspeech/expression

Extremists

Unemployment/jobopportunities

Currency Value

Transportation

65%

% of respondents

Question: What are the top 3 critical issues that concern you the most in M’sia? (Select 3 only)

Economy/Cost of living, Race & religious issues and Crime are the 3 most selected answers.

49%

47%

38%

26%

22%

20%

14%

12%

5%



Top 3 issues that concern you the most in M’sia – Age Group Comparison

Economy/Cost of living is by far the issue most commonly picked among the 15-24 years old (64% of respondents), 25-34 years old (76%) and 35-54 years old age group (65%). For the senior age group, Race & Religious issues, Corruption, and Crime are equally the issues that concern them the most.

39


Rank 15-24 years old 25-34 years old 35-54 years old 55 & above

1 Economy/Cost of Living Economy/Cost of Living Economy/Cost of Living Race & Religious issues

2 Race & Religious issues Crime Race & Religious issues Corruption

3 Education Race & Religious issues Crime Crime

4 Crime Corruption Corruption Economy/Cost of Living

5 Corruption Freedom of

speech/expression Education Extremists

6 Freedom of

speech/expression Education Extremists Education

7 Unemployment/job

opportunities Unemployment/job

opportunities Freedom of

speech/expression Freedom of

speech/expression

8 Currency value Extremists Unemployment/job

opportunities Currency value

(64%)

(45%)

(35%)

(34%)

(30%)

(29%)

(25%)

(76%)

(48%)

(45%)

(33%)

(23%)

(20%)

(16%)

(65%)

(51%)

(50%)

(38%)

(28%)

(23%)

(19%)

(54%)

(54%)

(52%)

(47%)

(31%)

(23%)

(21%)

**Respondents have to select 3 answers from the list of options given

(19%) (15%) (11%)

(8%)



Top 3 issues that concern you the most in M’sia – Age Group Comparison

Economy/Cost of living is by far the issue most commonly picked among all races - Malay (78% of respondents), Chinese (62%) and Indian (64%). Race & Religious issues and Crime are the next 2 most selected issues by all race groups. Corruption is another issue that concern Malaysians, especially amongst Chinese (42% of respondents)

40


Rank Malay Chinese Indian

1 Economy/Cost of Living Economy/Cost of Living Economy/Cost of Living

2 Race & Religious issues Crime Race & Religious issues

3 Crime Race & Religious issues Crime

4 Corruption Corruption Corruption

5 Education Education Education

6 Unemployment/job

opportunities Extremists Freedom of speech/expression

7 Freedom of speech/expression Freedom of speech/expression Extremists

8 Extremists Currency value/Exchange rate Unemployment/job

opportunities

(78%)

(44%)

(44%)

(34%)

(26%)

(24%)

(17%)

(62%)

(51%)

(48%)

(42%)

(25%)

(22%)

(21%)

(64%)

(55%)

(45%)

(31%)

(30%)

(27%)

(20%)

**Respondents have to select 3 answers from the list of options given

(14%) (14%)

(14%)



41

Do you think you have a say or can influence government policies and decision-making, in addressing these concerns?

42

62% of respondents think they do not have a say on government policies and decision-making. This result is reflected among all groups, except the youths who are more positive comparatively. Half of the youth group answered No (which is lower than all other age groups), 28% are not sure, while 22% of them actually think that Yes, they do have say.

Question: Do you think you have a say or can influence government policies and decision-making, in

addressing these concerns? - Age Group Comparison

62% 50%

63% 67% 64%

20%

28%

20% 17% 16%

18% 22% 17% 16% 19%


Yes

Not Sure/Don't Know

No



43

The overall result is reflected among Indians and especially Chinese Half of Malays also think they do not have a say, but almost 30% think they can have an influence.

Question: Do you think you have a say or can influence government policies and decision-making, in

addressing these concerns? – Race Group Comparison

62% 48%

68% 60%

20%

25%

18% 23%

18% 27%

14% 18%


Yes

Not Sure/Don't Know

No



Views on Moderation

44

45

Do you think moderation is important for Malaysia?

46

A resounding 92% of all respondents feel moderation is important for Malaysia An overwhelming majority of all age and race groups share the same view.

Question: Do you think moderation is important for Malaysia?

3% 2% 3% 3% 2% 7%

1% 1%

5% 8% 7% 4% 2%

8%

3% 5%

92% 90% 90% 93% 96% 85%

96% 94%

Overall 15 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 54 55 and above Malay Chinese Indian

Yes

Not Sure

No

Age Group Race Group



47

In your opinion, do you think majority of Malaysians practise moderation?

48

Overall, 49% of respondents agree or somewhat agree that Malaysians do practise moderation. The 35-54 years old and 55 & above age group are more positive, with more than half selecting agree and somewhat agree with the statement. 1/3 of youths are not sure on this issue.

Opinion on whether majority of Malaysians practise moderation– Age Group Comparison

6% 5% 7% 7% 6%

20% 23% 23% 18% 16%

26% 33% 29%

22% 20%

37% 32% 34%

40% 38%

12% 7% 7% 13%

20%


Agree

Somewhat Agree

Not Sure

Somewhat Disagree

Disagree

26% 28% 30% 25% 22%

49% 39% 41% 53%

58%



49

The findings among the Malay and Chinese are similar, with about half agreeing or somewhat agree that majority of Malaysians practise moderation. 31% of Indians disagree or somewhat disagree.

Opinion on whether majority of Malaysians practise moderation– Race Group Comparison

6% 5% 5% 9%

20% 21% 19% 22%

26% 27% 25%

28%

37% 37% 38%

33%

12% 10% 13% 9%


Agree

Somewhat Agree

Not Sure

Somewhat Disagree

Disagree

26% 26% 24% 31%

49% 47% 51% 42%



50

In your opinion, is Malaysia becoming more or less moderate?

51

¾ of respondents perceive M’sia to be less moderate.

Similarly, working adults and the senior group perceive M’sia to be less moderate – although about half of these groups think majority of Malaysians practise moderation (previous question-slide 48). Among the youth, a lower majority of 58% think Malaysia is becoming less moderate and almost 30% are not sure.

Question: In your opinion, is Malaysia becoming more or less moderate? -Age Group Comparison

81%

82%

72%

58%

74%

11%

10%

19%

27%

16%

8%

7%

10%

14%

9%

55 and above

35 - 54 years old

25 - 34 years old

15 - 24 years old

Overall

Less Moderate Not Sure/ Don't Know More Moderate



52

Majority of each race group think M’sia is becoming less moderate, especially amongst the Chinese and Indians – although about half of these race groups think majority of Malaysians practise moderation (previous question – slide 49). A quarter of Malay respondents are not sure.

Question: In your opinion, is Malaysia becoming more or less moderate? – Race Group Comparison

80%

79%

60%

74%

12%

14%

23%

16%

8%

7%

17%

9%

Indian

Chinese

Malay

Overall

Less Moderate Not Sure/ Don't Know More Moderate



53

In your capacity, what would you do to promote moderation/stop extremism?

4,373

3,653

3,356

1,630

1,390

316

269

Accepting of differences& having mutual respect

Encourage open &rational discussions

Set an example-inspeech, behaviour &

actions

Take it up with themedia

Take it up withgovernment/relevant

ministers

I won't do anything, Ican't help

Others

86%

% of respondents

Question: In your capacity, what would you do to promote moderation/stop extremism? (Select as many as applicable)

72%

66%

32%

27%

6%

5%

The top 3 answers by far are Accepting of differences & having mutual respect, Encourage open Discussion, and Set An Example, and the same results are seen across all groups A higher number of all groups would rather take it with the media than with the government/ministers.

69% think of themselves as Malaysians – similar across all groups, with the result more obvious in

older age groups. 57% think others identify them as from their racial group – especially among the Chinese and

Indian respondents. Family, Friends and Colleagues/Workplace are the top influencers of identity.

More than half believe state of ethnic relations in this country is not good – especially among the

older age groups and Chinese, Indian. More than 70% think it is getting worse – older age groups and Chinese, Indian.

Economy/Cost of living, Race & Religious Issues and Crime are top 3 issues of concern. 62% think they don’t have a say on government decision-making, especially among the working

adults, elder age group, and Chinese, Indian.

9 out of 10 respondents feel moderation is important. Majority believes Malaysians are practising moderation, but at the same time they feel that

Malaysia is becoming less moderate.

Summary of Findings

National Identity

Ethnic Relations

Issues of Public Interest

Views On Moderation

- Thank you -

56

the star moderation online surveyclips.thestar.com.my/tsol/moderatemalaysia/the-star...malay 20%...

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