DESPITE improving headline economic data, the signs of distress are still being felt by a sizeable number of Malaysians.
Some 15% of Malaysians skip meals to make ends meet and about 27% do not have RM500 for an emergency, a survey said today.
The Merdeka Center survey, conducted between November 4 and 14, involved 1,203 registered voters.
Commenting on the results, Ibrahim Suffian, the centre’s director said: “In our opinion, the survey conveys a picture of a Malaysian electorate that was largely affected by rising costs and feeling some levels of distress in spite of the strong macroeconomic growth numbers.
The survey shows a slight improvement in sentiments compared with January 2017 but some of its key findings include:
* 29% of respondents reporting that they did not possess a minimum of RM500 of savings to address any emergency, compared with 33% in January;
* 64% felt stressed thinking about the future, compared with 68% in January;
* 40% delayed or unable to make payments on utility bills, such as electricity and telephone bills, the same percentage in January;
* 20% took on new debt (in the form of personal loans or charging of credit cards), which is a 2% increase compared with January;
* 15% encountered new conflict with the family or a 2% increase compared with January 2017;
* 15% skipped meals in order to make ends meet – the same in January; and
* 11% who report needing to sell or pawn off possessions in order to meet expenses – this figure is 1% higher compared with January 2017.
The Merdeka Center survey to gauge voters’ perceptions of current developments involved 1,203 registered voters comprising 52% Malay, 29% Chinese, 7% Indian, 6% Muslim Bumiputera, 6% non- Muslim Bumiputera (from Sabah and Sarawak) and interviewed via fixed line and mobile telephones. – November 24, 2017.
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