NewsFocus: Inflation, crime top issues for voters
By : Abdul Razak Ahmad Email to friend Print article
INFLATION, crime and the influx of illegal immigrants are the top issues for Selangor voters ahead of the coming general election, an NST survey has found. The survey, conducted by the Merdeka Center, polled 798 respondents in the state between Nov 18 and 24. It was one in a series of polls commissioned by the New Straits Times Press Berhad to track voter sentiments. To an open-ended question, close to a quarter of the respondents cited economic worries as the most important problem or issue that needed to be solved in the state now. They included inflation and the rising cost of living, unemployment and other related problems due to factors like rising world oil prices. Another 15 per cent cited crime and public safety as their chief concern. For another nine per cent, it was the influx of illegal immigrants to the state. Despite the worries, the poll noted that the respondents were generally satisfied with things in the state at the time the survey was conducted. It said that although there were concerns over rising prices, the majority still reported favourable personal income levels. There were, however, mixed views on the economic outlook and on confidence in the government's handling of the economy. On the availability of jobs and business opportunities, for example, Malays and Indians were relatively more positive compared with the Chinese. The public also had mixed views over the performance of the economy, evenly split between those who felt it was positive and those who felt it was either negative or that there was no change. Presented with the survey findings, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said the state had been closely tracking the issues. He acknowledged that there were some worries over matters like possible price hikes, inflation and the economic outlook, and said the state would release two "report cards" next month to detail some of the state's achievements in various sectors, including the economy. The reports will be distributed nationwide, and are aimed at reassuring the public on the state's economic performance and outlook.
The state government, Dr Khir said, would also launch a major effort soon to reach out and engage target groups, namely the middle class and business and trading communities. "The policies (which can address the concerns) are there, but they are not well explained. With good planning and measures like the report cards, they will be more confident and have better knowledge." Explaining the significance of Selangor voter sentiments, Merdeka Center director Ibrahim Suffian said that being the most developed and highly urbanised state meant that many were relatively more aware and affected by certain issues and worries, such as economic concerns. "That some of the recent highly charged political events, like Bersih and Hindraf, took place near or in the state means that some of the political impact from these issues could be gauged from sentiments in the state," added Ibrahim. The NST Selangor voter survey was done after the Bersih Nov 10 rally but concluded a day before the Hindraf Nov 25 gathering. Half the respondents felt the action of authorities in the relocation of a Hindu temple in Kampung Rimba Jaya was fair. Another 19 per cent said that it was unfair. Ibrahim said some of the sentiments registered in the survey on the issue would have shifted since then. Despite the issues, Dr Khir, who is state BN chairman, said support levels for the ruling coalition remained strong. He said a recent BN-commissioned poll involving 15,000 respondents from the state found 70 per cent saying they would continue to vote for the BN in the coming polls. Dr Khir did not name the organisation that ran the poll, but said the MCA-held Petaling Jaya Utara was the only potentially tough parliament seat for the BN in Selangor at the moment. NOTE: For graphic details on the survey findings, click here.