The Star Moderation Online Survey
Full Report
May 2015
Methodology
Online Survey:
Survey questions were drawn up by GMCC.
Survey was created on the Poll Daddy online survey site.
Links of the Poll Daddy survey questions were embedded on TSOL and highlighted on The Star Moderation print ads as well as The Star Online Facebook page. The Moderation online survey ran for 3 weeks from 21st March to 10th April 2015.
Total number of respondents, N = 5,070
2
Demographic Profiles
3
General Overview
Almost half of the survey respondents are from the 15 - 24 and 25 - 34 years old age groups .
Male 54%
Female 46%
15-24 years
old 21%
25-34 years
old 26%
35-44
years old 17%
45 – 54 years old 17%
55 years and
above 20%
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
Gender Age Group
No. of respondents
15 - 24 years old 1,040
25 - 34 years old 1,322
35 - 44 years old 857
45 - 54 years old 850
55 years old and above 999
76% of the respondents for the survey are PMEBs (Professionals, Managers, Executives, Businessman) and Students.
57%
19%
10%
6%
4%
2%
2%
PMEB (Professionals, Managers, Executives,Businessman)
Students
Retirees
Other White Collar (clerks, tellers, etc)
Others
Housewife/Homemaker
Non-professionals (Blue Collar, etc)
No. of respondents
PMEB 2,876
Students 947
Retirees 523
Other White Collar 289
Others 199
Housewife/Homemaker
121
Non-professionals 115
Occupation Percentage %
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
Half of respondents are Chinese, while almost 2/3 are based in Central region (Kl, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan).
Chinese
53%
Malay 20%
Indian 15%
Others 12%
Central 64%
North 17%
South 7%
Others 5%
East Malaysia
5%
East Coast
(Peninsular) 2%
Race Region
*Others are mostly from locations outside of Malaysia. Eg.-Singapore, Australia, UK, etc. (stated in comments)
*12% of respondents selected Others, a significant number of these respondents chose not to reveal their ethnicity and preferred to be identified as Malaysians (stated in comments)
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
7
▪ 15 - 24 years old age group ▪ 25 - 34 years old age group ▪ 35 - 54 years old age group ▪ 55 years old and above age group
Age Group Comparison
Race Group Comparison
▪ Malay
▪ Chinese
▪ Indian
National Identity
8
9
How do you identify yourself in Malaysia?
10
69% of all respondents think of themselves as Malaysians, followed by 21% identifying themselves as belonging to racial group. Similar answers across all age groups with the trend being more obvious in the older respondents.
Question: How do you identify yourself in Malaysia? – Age Group Comparison
69% 65% 67% 69% 74%
21% 24% 22% 21% 16%
5% 7% 6% 5% 6% 5% 4% 5% 5% 4%
Overall 15 - 24 years old 25 - 34 years old 35 - 54 years old 55 and above
Others
A person of yourreligion
A person fromyour racial group
As a Malaysian
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
11
Majority of all race groups (60% Malays, 71% Chinese, 77% Indians) identify themselves as Malaysians, in line with the overall result. One slight difference would be 16% of Malays identifying themselves as a person of their religion compared with the overall result.
Question: How do you identify yourself in Malaysia? – Race Group Comparison
69% 60%
71% 77%
21%
20%
24% 16%
5% 16%
3% 4% 5% 4% 2% 3%
Overall Malay Chinese Indian
Others
A person of yourreligion
A person fromyour racial group
As a Malaysian
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
12
How do you think others identify you?
13
However, 57% think they are identified by others as a person from their racial group. Majority of most age groups feel this way, except the 55 & above group whereby almost half (40%) think others identify them as a Malaysian.
Question: How do you think others identify you? - Age Group Comparison
32% 31% 27% 32% 40%
57% 58% 60%
59% 50%
5% 6% 7% 5% 6%
5% 4% 5% 4% 4%
Overall 15 - 24 years old 25 - 34 years old 35 - 54 years old 55 and above
Others
A person of yourreligion
A person fromyour racial group
As a Malaysian
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
14
Significant majority of Chinese (61%) and Indians (64%) respondents think others identify them by their race. To a lesser degree, answers from Malay respondents reflect similar findings.
Question: How do you think others identify you? – Race Group Comparison
32% 36% 35% 25%
57% 47% 61%
64%
5% 12%
3% 8%
5% 4% 2% 3%
Overall Malay Chinese Indian
Others
A person of yourreligion
A person fromyour racial group
As a Malaysian
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
15
Who are the top 3 influencers of your identity?
4,049
3,974
2,186
1,549
1,410
1,111
622
306
Family
Friends
Colleagues/Workplace
Media
Government of the day
Teachers/School
Religious teacher/school
Others
80%
% of respondents
Question: Which are top 3 influencers of your identity? (Select 3 only)
Family, Friends and Colleagues/Workplace are the 3 most popular answers overall.
78%
43%
31%
28%
22%
12%
6%
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
Top Influencers of identity – Age Group Comparison
Family, Friends and Colleagues/Workplace are the top 3 influencers for all age groups, except the 15-24 years old group. 35% of the youngest respondents chose Media as one of their influencers, higher than other age groups.
17
*Numbers in brackets are the percentage of respondents that chose the answer
Rank 15-24 years old 25-34 years old 35-54 years old 55 & above
1 Friends Family Family Family
2 Family Friends Friends Friends
3 Media Colleagues/Workplace Colleagues/Workplace Colleagues/Workplace
4 Teachers/School Media Government of the day Government of the day
5 Colleagues/Workplace Government of the day Media Media
6 Government of the day
Teachers/School Teachers/School Teachers/School
7 Religious teacher/School Religious teach/School Religious teach/School Religious teach/School
(85%)
(84%)
(35%)
(34%)
(24%)
(21%)
(13%)
(80%)
(80%)
(46%)
(31%)
(24%)
(19%)
(16%)
(78%)
(76%)
(51%)
(29%)
(29%)
(19%)
(12%)
(78%)
(74%)
(46%)
(37%)
(17%)
(18%)
(12%)
**Respondents have to select 3 answers from the list of options given The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
Top Influencers of identity – Race Group Comparison
Family, Friends and Colleagues/Workplace are the top 3 influencers for all race groups. Family especially is very influential among Malays with it chosen by 89% of the group. Media is also a top influencer of identity compared to Government amongst the Malays and Chinese
18
*Numbers in brackets are the percentage of respondents that chose the answer
Rank Malay Chinese Indians
1 Family Friends Family
2 Friends Family Friends
3 Colleagues/Workplace Colleagues/Workplace Colleagues/Workplace
4 Media Media Government of the day
5
Teachers/School Government of the day Media
6 Religious teacher/School
Teachers/School Teachers/School
7 Government of the day Religious teacher/School Religious teacher/School
(89%)
(82%)
(46%)
(24%)
(19%)
(18%)
(15%)
(78%)
(77%)
(41%)
(34%)
(33%)
(23%)
(10%)
(78%)
(75%)
(50%)
(32%)
(28%)
(24%)
(10%)
**Respondents have to select 3 answers from the list of options given The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
Ethnic Relations
19
20
In your opinion, what is the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia?
21
More than half (55%) think the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia is not good.
Question: In your opinion, what is the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia?
39%
24%
20%
16%
2%
Poor
Neutral
Good
Very Poor
Excellent
% of respondents which chose Poor & Very Poor
55%
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
22
The older age groups feel strongly that the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia is not positive, with more than half choosing “Poor” and “Very Poor” The 15-24 years old group are more positive with only 40% choosing “Poor” and “Very Poor”, while it has higher percentage of respondents who selected “Neutral” and “Good” in comparison to other groups.
Opinion on the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia – Age Group Comparison
16% 8%
16% 19% 19%
39%
32%
36% 42% 44%
24%
32%
25% 20% 18%
20% 25% 20% 17% 18%
2% 2% 2% 2% 1%
Overall 15 - 24 years old 25 - 34 years old 35 - 54 years old 55 and above
Excellent
Good
Neutral
Poor
Very Poor
55%
40% 52%
61% 63%
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
23
About 60% of Chinese and Indians think the state of ethnic relations in M’sia is negative, mirroring the overall result. However among the Malays, there’s an equal proportion of respondents who feel the situation is positive (38%) as well as negative (37%). A quarter of all race groups are neutral.
Opinion on the state of ethnic relations in Malaysia – Race Group Comparison
16% 8%
16% 19%
39%
29%
41% 41%
24%
24%
25% 22%
20%
34%
16% 15%
2% 4% 1% 2%
Overall Malay Chinese Indian
Excellent
Good
Neutral
Poor
Very Poor
55%
37%
57% 60%
38%
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
24
In your view, ethnic relations in the country are…? (Improving/Not Sure/ Worsening)
25
Amongst all respondents, a majority of 73% perceive ethnic relations to be worsening. Similarly, more than 80% of 35-54 years old and 55 & above group think the situation is getting worse. The youngest group is less negative, whereby 22% feel it is improving and a quarter of them are not sure.
Question: In your view, ethnic relations in the country are…? - Age Group Comparison
73%
53%
69% 82% 82%
15%
25%
17%
10% 12% 12%
22% 14%
8% 6%
Overall 15 - 24 years old 25 - 34 years old 35 - 54 years old 55 and above
Improving
Not Sure/Don't Know
Worsening
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
26
An overwhelming majority of Chinese and Indian respondents view the situation to be worsening (77% and 79% respectively). At the same time more than half of Malays think is it getting worse, while the rest of Malay respondents are either not sure, or think it is improving.
Question: In your view, ethnic relations in the country are…? – Race Group Comparison
73%
57%
77% 79%
15%
21%
14% 13%
12% 22%
10% 8%
Overall Malay Chinese Indian
Improving
Not Sure/Don't Know
Worsening
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
27
How many friends from cultural-racial-religious backgrounds different than your own? (*Friends defined as people you are in regular contact with and whom you trust)
28
Overall, 61% of respondents have more than 5 friends from different backgrounds. 55% of the youth selected this answer as compared to a bigger proportion of the older age groups.
Question: How many friends from cultural-racial-religious backgrounds different than
your own?
(*Friends defined as people you are in regular contact with and whom you trust)
6% 7% 7% 5% 4%
16% 19% 18% 12% 15%
18% 20% 19%
15% 18%
61% 55% 57% 67% 63%
Overall 15 - 24 years old 25 - 34 years old 35 - 54 years old 55 and above
More than 5 friends
3-5 friends
1-2 friends
0 friends
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
29
Overall, 61% of respondents have more than 5 friends from different backgrounds. This finding is similarly reflected in all race groups, though in lesser degree amongst the Chinese.
Question: How many friends from cultural-racial-religious backgrounds different than
your own?
(*Friends defined as people you are in regular contact with and whom you trust)
6% 6% 7% 2%
16% 12% 19%
11%
18% 17%
19%
17%
61% 65% 55%
70%
Overall Malay Chinese Indian
More than 5 friends
3-5 friends
1-2 friends
0 friends
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
30
I am interested in meeting friends from different cultural-racial-religious background
31
More than 90% across all age groups agree or somewhat agree with the statement.
Statement: I am interested in meeting friends from different cultural-racial-
religious background
71%
75%
75%
75%
74%
20%
18%
17%
21%
19%
6%
5%
6%
3%
5%
55 and above
35 - 54 years old
25 - 34 years old
15 - 24 years old
Overall
Agree Somewhat Agree Not Sure Somewhat Disagree Disagree
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
32
More than 90% across all race groups agree or somewhat agree with the statement, though there is lesser percentage of Chinese who fully agree.
Statement: I am interested in meeting friends from different cultural-racial-
religious background
84%
68%
78%
74%
12%
24%
17%
19%
3%
7%
4%
5%
Indian
Chinese
Malay
Overall
Agree Somewhat Agree Not Sure Somewhat Disagree Disagree
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
33
Discussing issues of racism, discrimination, and oppression make me uncomfortable
34
Overall, almost half feel uncomfortable sometimes discussing issues of racism, discrimination and oppression while 29% are always uncomfortable. This response is reflected similarly amongst the older age groups, whereas 34% of the youth group never feel uncomfortable discussing issues of racism.
Statement: Discussing issues of racism, discrimination, and oppression make
me uncomfortable
34%
29%
29%
25%
29%
45%
44%
42%
38%
43%
1%
1%
2%
3%
2%
20%
25%
27%
34%
26%
55 and above
35 - 54 years old
25 - 34 years old
15 - 24 years old
Overall
Always Sometimes Not Sure/ Don't Know Never
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
35
Very similar result among Malay and Chinese respondents - almost half feel uncomfortable sometimes discussing issues of racism, discrimination and oppression while about 30% are always uncomfortable.
Statement: Discussing issues of racism, discrimination, and oppression make
me uncomfortable
35%
29%
30%
29%
37%
45%
43%
43%
2%
2%
1%
2%
27%
23%
25%
26%
Indian
Chinese
Malay
Overall
Always Sometimes Not Sure/ Don't Know Never
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
Issues of Public Interest
36
37
What are the top 3 critical issues that concern you the most in Malaysia?
3,283
2,480
2,365
1,936
1,327
1,132
1018
724
626
245
Economy/Cost of living
Race & religious issues
Crime
Corruption
Education
Freedom ofspeech/expression
Extremists
Unemployment/jobopportunities
Currency Value
Transportation
65%
% of respondents
Question: What are the top 3 critical issues that concern you the most in M’sia? (Select 3 only)
Economy/Cost of living, Race & religious issues and Crime are the 3 most selected answers.
49%
47%
38%
26%
22%
20%
14%
12%
5%
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
Top 3 issues that concern you the most in M’sia – Age Group Comparison
Economy/Cost of living is by far the issue most commonly picked among the 15-24 years old (64% of respondents), 25-34 years old (76%) and 35-54 years old age group (65%). For the senior age group, Race & Religious issues, Corruption, and Crime are equally the issues that concern them the most.
39
*Numbers in brackets are the percentage of respondents that chose the answer
Rank 15-24 years old 25-34 years old 35-54 years old 55 & above
1 Economy/Cost of Living Economy/Cost of Living Economy/Cost of Living Race & Religious issues
2 Race & Religious issues Crime Race & Religious issues Corruption
3 Education Race & Religious issues Crime Crime
4 Crime Corruption Corruption Economy/Cost of Living
5 Corruption Freedom of
speech/expression Education Extremists
6 Freedom of
speech/expression Education Extremists Education
7 Unemployment/job
opportunities Unemployment/job
opportunities Freedom of
speech/expression Freedom of
speech/expression
8 Currency value Extremists Unemployment/job
opportunities Currency value
(64%)
(45%)
(35%)
(34%)
(30%)
(29%)
(25%)
(76%)
(48%)
(45%)
(33%)
(23%)
(20%)
(16%)
(65%)
(51%)
(50%)
(38%)
(28%)
(23%)
(19%)
(54%)
(54%)
(52%)
(47%)
(31%)
(23%)
(21%)
**Respondents have to select 3 answers from the list of options given
(19%) (15%) (11%)
(8%)
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
Top 3 issues that concern you the most in M’sia – Age Group Comparison
Economy/Cost of living is by far the issue most commonly picked among all races - Malay (78% of respondents), Chinese (62%) and Indian (64%). Race & Religious issues and Crime are the next 2 most selected issues by all race groups. Corruption is another issue that concern Malaysians, especially amongst Chinese (42% of respondents)
40
*Numbers in brackets are the percentage of respondents that chose the answer
Rank Malay Chinese Indian
1 Economy/Cost of Living Economy/Cost of Living Economy/Cost of Living
2 Race & Religious issues Crime Race & Religious issues
3 Crime Race & Religious issues Crime
4 Corruption Corruption Corruption
5 Education Education Education
6 Unemployment/job
opportunities Extremists Freedom of speech/expression
7 Freedom of speech/expression Freedom of speech/expression Extremists
8 Extremists Currency value/Exchange rate Unemployment/job
opportunities
(78%)
(44%)
(44%)
(34%)
(26%)
(24%)
(17%)
(62%)
(51%)
(48%)
(42%)
(25%)
(22%)
(21%)
(64%)
(55%)
(45%)
(31%)
(30%)
(27%)
(20%)
**Respondents have to select 3 answers from the list of options given
(14%) (14%)
(14%)
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
41
Do you think you have a say or can influence government policies and decision-making, in addressing these concerns?
42
62% of respondents think they do not have a say on government policies and decision-making. This result is reflected among all groups, except the youths who are more positive comparatively. Half of the youth group answered No (which is lower than all other age groups), 28% are not sure, while 22% of them actually think that Yes, they do have say.
Question: Do you think you have a say or can influence government policies and decision-making, in
addressing these concerns? - Age Group Comparison
62% 50%
63% 67% 64%
20%
28%
20% 17% 16%
18% 22% 17% 16% 19%
Overall 15 - 24 years old 25 - 34 years old 35 - 54 years old 55 and above
Yes
Not Sure/Don't Know
No
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
43
The overall result is reflected among Indians and especially Chinese Half of Malays also think they do not have a say, but almost 30% think they can have an influence.
Question: Do you think you have a say or can influence government policies and decision-making, in
addressing these concerns? – Race Group Comparison
62% 48%
68% 60%
20%
25%
18% 23%
18% 27%
14% 18%
Overall Malay Chinese Indian
Yes
Not Sure/Don't Know
No
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
Views on Moderation
44
45
Do you think moderation is important for Malaysia?
46
A resounding 92% of all respondents feel moderation is important for Malaysia An overwhelming majority of all age and race groups share the same view.
Question: Do you think moderation is important for Malaysia?
3% 2% 3% 3% 2% 7%
1% 1%
5% 8% 7% 4% 2%
8%
3% 5%
92% 90% 90% 93% 96% 85%
96% 94%
Overall 15 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 54 55 and above Malay Chinese Indian
Yes
Not Sure
No
Age Group Race Group
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
47
In your opinion, do you think majority of Malaysians practise moderation?
48
Overall, 49% of respondents agree or somewhat agree that Malaysians do practise moderation. The 35-54 years old and 55 & above age group are more positive, with more than half selecting agree and somewhat agree with the statement. 1/3 of youths are not sure on this issue.
Opinion on whether majority of Malaysians practise moderation– Age Group Comparison
6% 5% 7% 7% 6%
20% 23% 23% 18% 16%
26% 33% 29%
22% 20%
37% 32% 34%
40% 38%
12% 7% 7% 13%
20%
Overall 15 - 24 years old 25 - 34 years old 35 - 54 years old 55 and above
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Not Sure
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
26% 28% 30% 25% 22%
49% 39% 41% 53%
58%
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
49
The findings among the Malay and Chinese are similar, with about half agreeing or somewhat agree that majority of Malaysians practise moderation. 31% of Indians disagree or somewhat disagree.
Opinion on whether majority of Malaysians practise moderation– Race Group Comparison
6% 5% 5% 9%
20% 21% 19% 22%
26% 27% 25%
28%
37% 37% 38%
33%
12% 10% 13% 9%
Overall Malay Chinese Indian
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Not Sure
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
26% 26% 24% 31%
49% 47% 51% 42%
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
50
In your opinion, is Malaysia becoming more or less moderate?
51
¾ of respondents perceive M’sia to be less moderate.
Similarly, working adults and the senior group perceive M’sia to be less moderate – although about half of these groups think majority of Malaysians practise moderation (previous question-slide 48). Among the youth, a lower majority of 58% think Malaysia is becoming less moderate and almost 30% are not sure.
Question: In your opinion, is Malaysia becoming more or less moderate? -Age Group Comparison
81%
82%
72%
58%
74%
11%
10%
19%
27%
16%
8%
7%
10%
14%
9%
55 and above
35 - 54 years old
25 - 34 years old
15 - 24 years old
Overall
Less Moderate Not Sure/ Don't Know More Moderate
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
52
Majority of each race group think M’sia is becoming less moderate, especially amongst the Chinese and Indians – although about half of these race groups think majority of Malaysians practise moderation (previous question – slide 49). A quarter of Malay respondents are not sure.
Question: In your opinion, is Malaysia becoming more or less moderate? – Race Group Comparison
80%
79%
60%
74%
12%
14%
23%
16%
8%
7%
17%
9%
Indian
Chinese
Malay
Overall
Less Moderate Not Sure/ Don't Know More Moderate
The Star Moderation Online Survey
No. of respondents, N = 5,070 21st March – 10th April 2015
53
In your capacity, what would you do to promote moderation/stop extremism?
4,373
3,653
3,356
1,630
1,390
316
269
Accepting of differences& having mutual respect
Encourage open &rational discussions
Set an example-inspeech, behaviour &
actions
Take it up with themedia
Take it up withgovernment/relevant
ministers
I won't do anything, Ican't help
Others
86%
% of respondents
Question: In your capacity, what would you do to promote moderation/stop extremism? (Select as many as applicable)
72%
66%
32%
27%
6%
5%
The top 3 answers by far are Accepting of differences & having mutual respect, Encourage open Discussion, and Set An Example, and the same results are seen across all groups A higher number of all groups would rather take it with the media than with the government/ministers.
69% think of themselves as Malaysians – similar across all groups, with the result more obvious in
older age groups. 57% think others identify them as from their racial group – especially among the Chinese and
Indian respondents. Family, Friends and Colleagues/Workplace are the top influencers of identity.
More than half believe state of ethnic relations in this country is not good – especially among the
older age groups and Chinese, Indian. More than 70% think it is getting worse – older age groups and Chinese, Indian.
Economy/Cost of living, Race & Religious Issues and Crime are top 3 issues of concern. 62% think they don’t have a say on government decision-making, especially among the working
adults, elder age group, and Chinese, Indian.
9 out of 10 respondents feel moderation is important. Majority believes Malaysians are practising moderation, but at the same time they feel that
Malaysia is becoming less moderate.
Summary of Findings
National Identity
Ethnic Relations
Issues of Public Interest
Views On Moderation
- Thank you -
56