MIDDLE- and higher-income earners are more supportive of Pakatan Harapan, while lower-income earners lean towards Umno-PAS, a poll by think-tank Emir Research found.

More than half of those earning RM3,001-RM5,000 (51%) and above RM5,000 (52%) backed PH, while only 40% (earning less than RM3,000) picked the ruling coalition.

Among those earning less than RM3,000, 45% picked Umno-PAS.

Umno and PAS’ popularity was lower among those from higher-income groups, at 31% for the RM3,001-RM5,000 bracket, and 36% among those earning RM5,000 and above, Emir Research said in its report, Pulse from the ground: voice & expectations of the rakyat on current society-economic issues Part 2 released today.

RM3,000 is the median monthly income for B40 (bottom 40% households) according to 2016 data. The amount also qualifies households to receive the government’s Bantuan Sara Hidup cash aid, or Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) as it was called under the previous government.

Emir Research’s survey involved 1,992 voters in 222 parliamentary constituencies with a margin of error estimated at 3%. The survey was conducted from September 5 to October 10.

The poll also found that across ethnic lines, PH continued to be more popular among Chinese (64%) and Indians (52%) compared with Malays (33%). 

On the other hand, the Umno-PAS alliance attracted more Malay support at 53%, compared with 12% from the Chinese and 24% from the Indians.

“This means that PH has much work to do to close the gap with muafakat nasional in relation to Malay support,” said Emir Research, referring to the national consensus pact between Umno and PAS.

The urban-rural divide was also evident as 48% of the urbanites picked PH while only 32% picked Umno-PAS. 

Interest in independents was also highest among urbanites at 20%, compared with their rural counterparts (12%).

Umno-PAS is still more popular among rural voters at 58% compared with 30% for PH. – December 12, 2019.