MINDA MUDA Quantitative Survey National Unity Study On Young Malaysians The Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) National Young Lawyers’ Committee (NYLC) 18 th April 2008
Background • Vision 2020: United Malaysian nation with a sense of common and shared destiny. “empower national unity and integration through a Malaysian way amongst its diversified races amidst rapid development of the country” (Datuk Maximus Ongkili, JPNIN) • ‘National unity’ is defined by the Department of National Unity and Integration in Malaysia as ‘a situation in which all citizens from the various ethnic groups, religions, and states live in peace as one united nationality, giving full commitment to national identity based upon the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara’.[2] (Translated from) Mesyuarat Panel Penasihat Perpaduan Negara, February 1992 • Citizenship & Identity • Social Contract • NEP/NDP/NVP
Introduction: Development of Project • Stage I: In-Depth Qualitative Research - Young Urban Malaysians’ Study – Urban youth in Klang Valley, research findings used to formulate the Questionnaire and Dimensions for the Stage II Quantitative Research • Young Malaysians’ Roundtable Discussion (CPPS-NYLC) – CPPS-NYLC 1st Young Malaysians’ Roundtable Discussion – Platform to discuss key findings from Stage 1 & to further explore dimensions – Ethno-religious politics, education policies and young Malaysian identity in national unity • Consensus Document – Views and feedback were collated throughout the Roundtable and formed the Consensus Document, a set of 20 points presented at Parliament to Dato’ Dr. Maximus Ongkili, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of National Unity. • Stage II: MINDA MUDA QUANTITATIVE STUDY - Quantification of Key Dimensions outlined
Introduction: Research Objectives – To unearth young Malaysians’ life values, hopes and aspirations for the present and future – To understand attitudes towards and aspirations for national unity in Malaysia, inclusive of racial, religious and social integration. – To understand attitudes towards the education system in Malaysia, and how this contributes positively or negatively to national unity in Malaysia
Research Methodology • Target : Young Malaysians Aged 18 to 35 yrs old • Quota-controlled Sampling via Intercept Interviews – Tight quota controls that reflect the National distribution by representative by Strata, States, Age, Race & Gender – Well spread out locations covering different segments of the week / day times – Random Intercept e.g. every 1 in 5 persons – Length of Interview Approx. 25 mins – Same-race interviewers to avoid Interviewer bias • Supervision & Validation – One team leader per team for on-site supervision & verification – Average of 50% telephone validation conducted by independent QC team.
Research Methodology • Sample Size, N=1000 – N=700 Urban cities – N=300 Rural Areas – Quota controls by Region, Strata, Gender, Age & Ethnic Group . – Quota breakdown were derived based on 18-35 yrs old population data extracted from the Population & Housing Census of Malaysia Y2000
Research Methodology: Areas Surveyed CENTRAL Urban Rural Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang None Bangsar NORTH Urban Rural Pudu raya / Kota Raya Penang Vantage Point None Damansara Uptown Farlim Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman Beach Street Prangin Mall Komtar Selangor Puchong Jaya Ulu Yam Lama Kelana Jaya Perak Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh Tanjong Rambutan SS2 Jalan Silibin, Ipoh Jelapang SS15 Jalan Tasek, Ipoh Sunway Pyramid Taipan USJ Kedah City Point, Alor Setar Kuala Kedah Sect 27 Shah Alam Plaza Sentosa, Alor Setar Padang Serai Port Klang / Klang Town N. Sembilan None Mantin EAST Urban Rural Pahang Jalan Air Putih Pekan SOUTH Urban Rural Johore Jalan Wong Ah Fook Saleng Jalan Bukit Ubi Temerloh Jalan Pelangi Kuantan Jalan Dato Sulaiman Sri Tebrau Kota Bharu- Pasar Besar Kelantan Machang Jalan Dobi Siti Khatijah KB Mall Malacca Sentral bus station Jasin Bandar Hilir Mahkota Terengganu K. Trengganu Kuala Berang
Demographic Profile of Respondents Variable Percentage Gender Male 50.4 Female 49.6 Age (in years) 18-19 13.8 20-24 29.9 25-29 26.0 30-35 30.3 Race Malay 63.6 Chinese 27.1 Indian/Others 9.3 Strata Urban 70.0 Rural 30.0 Region North 25.5 Central 38.5 South 19.2 East 16.7
Level of Education No formal schooling 0.1 Up to primary school 1.2 Up to lower secondary school 8.8 Up to upper secondary school 51.4 Form 6/ Pre University/ 9.3 Matriculation/Foundation Diploma 18.1 Degree 9.8 Postgraduate and above 1.4 Household monthly income Below RM1500 10.7 RM1500 – RM2500 25.8 RM2501 – RM3500 24.2 RM3501 – RM4500 14.2 RM4501 – RM5500 8.3 RM5501 – RM6500 5.7 RM6501 – RM7500 2.8 Above RM7500 3.5 (Don’t Know/Refused to answer) 4.7
Executive Summary • Across the study, certain trends were apparent. First, there were significant differences in responses between urban and rural areas . Rural respondents were more optimistic about unity in the country, and gave generally higher scores and ratings to perceptions of harmony and peace. Urban respondents showed a greater level of dissatisfaction . The National Unity Model indicates that people rate unity as improving in the next 10 years, but by only a slight increase. • Second, significant differences were clear between responses of the ethnic groups, the pattern being Malays giving highest scores, followed by Indian/others, and finally Chinese . Regional differences were not as stark, but nevertheless respondents within Central and Southern regions seemed to be less optimistic about unity in Malaysia as did those in the East and West Peninsular . The younger age group prefers to mix more within their own ethnic and religious groups , relative to the older age group, indicating increasing racial and religious polarisation.
Executive Summary • There were numerous suggestions given to improve national unity by respondents themselves, showing that policies had a direct relationship with perception of national unity. Specifically, Government policies that were perceived to be unfair within education, economic and religious issues need to be addressed. • Research findings have revealed underlying currents of inter- ethnic tension , made clear within their differentiated ratings across the questionnaire. Despite efforts of addressing unity issues through a number of activities and programmes, challenges still remain. • In order to truly deal with root causes of disunity in the country, Government departments should be encouraged to boldly examine public policies that adversely affect the socio-economic and socio-political fabric, especially those related to provision of equal opportunity and equal access to all, where the National Unity Model indicates personal inter-ethnic relationships being strong but shows up national policies as the potential problem.
5-Dimensional Chart: Ethnic Breakdown Malays Economic Policies & NU Chinese 4. 2 4. 1 4. 5 4. 0 3. 5 Indians 3. 5 3. 0 2. 5 2. 0 National Unity Education Policies & NU 1. 5 4. 3 4. 2 4. 2 3. 8 3. 5 3. 2 1. 0 0 5 . 0 0 . 3. 4 3. 8 Racial Harmony Religious Harmony 4. 1 4. 2 4. 3 4. 5
5-Dimensional Chart: Strata Breakdown Economic Policies & NU Urban 4.2 4.3 Rural 4.2 4.1 4.0 4.0 3.9 3.8 National Unity Education Policies & NU 3.7 4.3 4.2 4.0 3.6 3.7 3.5 3.4 3.9 4.1 Racial Harmony Religious Harmony 4.2 4.3
5-Dimensional Chart: Regional Breakdown Economic Policies & NU Nor th 4.5 Centr al 4.2 4.2 S outh 3.9 3.9 4.0 East 3.5 National Unity Education Policies & NU 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.0 3.9 4.0 3.7 3.7 3.0 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.2 4.2 Racial Harmony Religious Harmony
I. Five Policy Areas to be urgently addressed: 1. Economic Policies 2. Education Policies 3. Religious Policies 4. Racial Harmony 5. National Unity Policies
1. Economic Policies • General agreement across the board that – The Government should change socioeconomic policies to help integrate society better. – Government policies to help the poor should apply to all races in Malaysia. – A positive sign showing that young Malaysians are open to more inclusive economic policies. • Whether current economic policies have been good for national unity – Chinese gave significantly negative responses as opposed to Malays and Indians – Rural respondents more likely to agree economic policies were good for national unity. – Study showed warning signs of dissatisfaction amongst the Chinese with respect to economic policies in Malaysia.
1. Economic Policies • Statements in full: (on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is “Fully Disagree and 5 is “Fully Agree”) (a) I don’t know much about the NEP (New Economic Policy). (b) I think the NEP has been good to unite the country together. (c) Government economic policies are good for national unity. (d) The Government should change socioeconomic policies to help integrate society better. (e) Government policies to help the poor should apply to all races in Malaysia (f) Government policies to help the poor should be for a particular group of Malaysians only.
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