MALAYSIANS are most concerned about the high cost of living, pollster YouGov said today.

It said that its latest survey among 2,687 Malaysians across the nation between November 8 and 14, found that cost of living issues dominated the concerns of voters, with both rising costs of goods and services and income ranking highly.

Rising costs of goods and services came up tops (51%), followed by government integrity (38%).

Both issues were of even greater consideration among older voters above the age of 50 (60% for rising costs of goods and services; 51% for government integrity).

Income was the topic of third greatest importance (37%), and more paramount among younger voters between the ages of 18 and 34 (47%).

Close to three in 10 voters prioritised stability (28%), while one in five held protection of Bumiputera rights in high regard (22%).

Education, employment, income inequality, reducing discrimination, healthcare, candidate suitability and housing affordability made up the middle ground, while environmental issues, personal freedoms and crime were of least concern at this time (5% each).

YouGov said most voters said they have been following the news about the election at least a little (93%), with the most popular source of political news being Facebook (57%).

A comparable number of voters also refer to the television (56%).

Half rely on talking with friends and family (50%), while slightly fewer use other social network sites (44%).

Slightly fewer than two in five get their news from newspapers, whether printed or online (39%), or other news websites that are not associated with any newspaper in particular (37%).

Another one in five access Twitter for their political news (22%).

Some 21 million Malaysians are eligible to vote this Saturday. – November 16, 2022.