AN elected representative who has integrity and is corruption-free is what voters want most of all, according to a Universiti Malaya survey conducted in 12 parliamentary seats between July and December.

It is also important that the leader is charismatic, and In Malay populated constituencies, religiosity is among the top three most valued characteristics in a leader.

When averaged out nationwide, the 12 characteristics that voters most value are, in order of importance: Integrity and corruption-free; charisma; religiosity; good education; experience; local candidate; position in party; family background; youth; competence; family lineage (political blue-blood); and social media popularity. 

The parliamentary seats surveyed were Jerlun, Permatang Pauh, Kuala Krai, Kuala Terengganu, Sepang, Bandar Tun Razak, Gelang Patah, Pasir Gudang, Penampang, Semporna, Petra Jaya and Bandar Kuching.

Of the 12 seats surveyed, three are held by Barisan Nasional, one is independent and the rest are opposition – PKR (2). Amanah (2), DAP (2), Warisan (1), PAS (1). 

The seats represent the north, south, east and west of Peninsular Malaysia as well as the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. The survey utilising questionnaires and open-ended focus groups saw 1,550 respondents.

A clean and non-corrupt leader was number one on voters’ wish list in all seats except Penampang in Sabah and Petra Jaya in Sarawak.

In Penampang, a “local candidate” is the most important and in Petra Jaya, it is most important that the leader is religious.

Penampang is represented by Darell Leiking, who quit PKR in 2016 to join Parti Warisan Sabah, the state’s largest locally-based opposition party. 
The Petra Jaya MP is Works Minister and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) youth chief Fadillah Yusof. The Malay-majority parliamentary constituency covers a large portion of north Kuching and contains the state seats Tupong, Samariang and Satok. 

Satok is represented by Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg, who leads PBB, Sarawak’s dominant BN component that comprises leaders from the Dayak, Malay, Orang Ulu and Melanau communities. PBB controls 45 of 82 state seats.

Permatang Pauh, Kuala Krai, Kuala Terengganu, Sepang and Semporna are the other constituencies that list religiosity among the top three most important characteristics in a leader.

A more detailed report will be released in a few weeks, said the survey’s lead researcher Associate Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi of UM’s Academy of Malay Studies. – January 7, 2018.