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MINDA MUDA Quantitative Survey

National Unity Study On Young Malaysians

The Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) National Young Lawyers’ Committee (NYLC) 18th April 2008

Background

• Vision 2020: United Malaysian nation with a sense of common and

shared destiny. “empower national unity and integration through a Malaysian way amongst its diversified races amidst rapid development of the country” (Datuk Maximus Ongkili, JPNIN)

• ‘National unity’ is defined by the Department of National Unity and

Integration in Malaysia as ‘a situation in which all citizens from the various ethnic groups, religions, and states live in peace as one united nationality, giving full commitment to national identity based upon the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara’.[2] (Translated from) Mesyuarat Panel Penasihat Perpaduan Negara, February 1992

• Citizenship & Identity
• Social Contract
• NEP/NDP/NVP

Introduction: Development of Project

• Stage I: In-Depth Qualitative Research - Young Urban Malaysians’ Study

– Urban youth in Klang Valley, research findings used to formulate the Questionnaire and Dimensions for the Stage II Quantitative Research

• Young Malaysians’ Roundtable Discussion (CPPS-NYLC)

– CPPS-NYLC 1st Young Malaysians’ Roundtable Discussion – Platform to discuss key findings from Stage 1 & to further explore dimensions – Ethno-religious politics, education policies and young Malaysian identity in national unity

• Consensus Document

– Views and feedback were collated throughout the Roundtable and formed the Consensus Document, a set of 20 points presented at Parliament to Dato’ Dr. Maximus Ongkili, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of National Unity.

• Stage II: MINDA MUDA QUANTITATIVE STUDY
• Quantification of Key Dimensions outlined

Introduction: Research Objectives

– To unearth young Malaysians’ life values, hopes and aspirations for the present and future – To understand attitudes towards and aspirations for national unity in Malaysia, inclusive of racial, religious and social integration. – To understand attitudes towards the education system in Malaysia, and how this contributes positively or negatively to national unity in Malaysia

Research Methodology

• Target : Young Malaysians Aged 18 to 35 yrs old
• Quota-controlled Sampling via Intercept Interviews

– Tight quota controls that reflect the National distribution by representative by Strata, States, Age, Race & Gender – Well spread out locations covering different segments of the week / day times – Random Intercept e.g. every 1 in 5 persons – Length of Interview Approx. 25 mins – Same-race interviewers to avoid Interviewer bias

• Supervision & Validation

– One team leader per team for on-site supervision & verification – Average of 50% telephone validation conducted by independent QC team.

Research Methodology

• Sample Size, N=1000

– N=700 Urban cities – N=300 Rural Areas – Quota controls by Region, Strata, Gender, Age &

Ethnic Group. – Quota breakdown were derived based on 18-35 yrs

• ld population data extracted from the Population &

Housing Census of Malaysia Y2000

CENTRAL Urban Rural Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang None Bangsar Pudu raya / Kota Raya Damansara Uptown Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman Selangor Puchong Jaya Ulu Yam Lama Kelana Jaya SS2 SS15 Sunway Pyramid Taipan USJ Sect 27 Shah Alam Port Klang / Klang Town

• N. Sembilan

None Mantin SOUTH Urban Rural Johore Jalan Wong Ah Fook Saleng Jalan Pelangi Jalan Dato Sulaiman Sri Tebrau Jalan Dobi Malacca Sentral bus station Jasin Bandar Hilir Mahkota NORTH Urban Rural Penang Vantage Point None Farlim Beach Street Prangin Mall Komtar Perak Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh Tanjong Rambutan Jalan Silibin, Ipoh Jelapang Jalan Tasek, Ipoh Kedah City Point, Alor Setar Kuala Kedah Plaza Sentosa, Alor Setar Padang Serai EAST Urban Rural Pahang Jalan Air Putih Pekan Jalan Bukit Ubi Temerloh Kuantan Kelantan Kota Bharu- Pasar Besar Siti Khatijah Machang KB Mall Terengganu

• K. Trengganu

Kuala Berang

Research Methodology: Areas Surveyed

Variable Percentage Gender Male Female 50.4 49.6 Age (in years) 18-19 20-24 25-29 30-35 13.8 29.9 26.0 30.3 Race Malay Chinese Indian/Others 63.6 27.1 9.3 Strata Urban Rural 70.0 30.0 Region North Central South East 25.5 38.5 19.2 16.7

Demographic Profile of Respondents

Level of Education No formal schooling Up to primary school Up to lower secondary school Up to upper secondary school Form 6/ Pre University/ Matriculation/Foundation Diploma Degree Postgraduate and above 0.1 1.2 8.8 51.4 9.3 18.1 9.8 1.4 Household monthly income Below RM1500 RM1500 – RM2500 RM2501 – RM3500 RM3501 – RM4500 RM4501 – RM5500 RM5501 – RM6500 RM6501 – RM7500 Above RM7500 (Don’t Know/Refused to answer) 10.7 25.8 24.2 14.2 8.3 5.7 2.8 3.5 4.7

Executive Summary

• Across the study, certain trends were apparent. First, there were

significant differences in responses between urban and rural areas. Rural respondents were more optimistic about unity in the country, and gave generally higher scores and ratings to perceptions of harmony and peace. Urban respondents showed a greater level of

• dissatisfaction. The National Unity Model indicates that people rate unity

as improving in the next 10 years, but by only a slight increase.

• Second, significant differences were clear between responses of the

ethnic groups, the pattern being Malays giving highest scores, followed by Indian/others, and finally Chinese. Regional differences were not as stark, but nevertheless respondents within Central and Southern regions seemed to be less optimistic about unity in Malaysia as did those in the East and West Peninsular. The younger age group prefers to mix more within their own ethnic and religious groups, relative to the older age group, indicating increasing racial and religious polarisation.

Executive Summary

• There were numerous suggestions given to improve national unity

by respondents themselves, showing that policies had a direct relationship with perception of national unity. Specifically, Government policies that were perceived to be unfair within education, economic and religious issues need to be addressed.

• Research findings have revealed underlying currents of inter-

ethnic tension, made clear within their differentiated ratings across the questionnaire. Despite efforts of addressing unity issues through a number of activities and programmes, challenges still remain.

• In order to truly deal with root causes of disunity in the country,

Government departments should be encouraged to boldly examine public policies that adversely affect the socio-economic and socio-political fabric, especially those related to provision of equal opportunity and equal access to all, where the National Unity Model indicates personal inter-ethnic relationships being strong but shows up national policies as the potential problem.

5-Dimensional Chart: Ethnic Breakdown

Economic Policies & NU Education Policies & NU Religious Harmony Racial Harmony National Unity

Malays Chinese Indians

5-Dimensional Chart: Strata Breakdown

4.0 4.0 3.9 4.1 3.7 4.2 4.3 4.2 4.3 4.2 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3

Economic Policies & NU Education Policies & NU Religious Harmony Racial Harmony National Unity

Urban Rural

5-Dimensional Chart: Regional Breakdown

4.2 4.2 4.1 4.2 4.0 3.9 4.0 3.9 4.1 3.7 3.9 3.9 4.0 4.1 3.7 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.1 4.2 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5

Economic Policies & NU Education Policies & NU Religious Harmony Racial Harmony National Unity

Nor th Centr al S

• uth

East

• 1. Economic Policies
• 2. Education Policies
• 3. Religious Policies
• 4. Racial Harmony
• 5. National Unity Policies
• I. Five Policy Areas to

be urgently addressed:

• 1. Economic Policies
• General agreement across the board that

– The Government should change socioeconomic policies to help integrate society better. – Government policies to help the poor should apply to all races in Malaysia. – A positive sign showing that young Malaysians are open to more inclusive economic policies.

• Whether current economic policies have been good for

national unity

– Chinese gave significantly negative responses as opposed to Malays and Indians – Rural respondents more likely to agree economic policies were good for national unity. – Study showed warning signs of dissatisfaction amongst the Chinese with respect to economic policies in Malaysia.

• 1. Economic Policies
• Statements in full: (on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is “Fully Disagree

and 5 is “Fully Agree”) (a) I don’t know much about the NEP (New Economic Policy). (b) I think the NEP has been good to unite the country together. (c) Government economic policies are good for national unity. (d) The Government should change socioeconomic policies to help integrate society better. (e) Government policies to help the poor should apply to all races in Malaysia (f) Government policies to help the poor should be for a particular group of Malaysians only.

• 1. Economic Policies

Rural respondents were more likely to agree that Government’s economic policies were good for national unity. On a scale of 1 to 5

4.2 4.2 2.5 3.5 3.4 1.9 4.1 4 2.2 1 2 3 4 5 NEP good for unity Econ Policies good for unity Policies for a Particular Group Only Statements on Economic Policies M ean R anks Indian/Others Chinese Malay

Ranks given for general Government economic policies were relatively high (with the exception of the Chinese who gave significantly lower scores), The ranking given for whether the NEP has been good to unite the country together showed the Malays, followed by Indians, then Chinese in decreasing rank order.

On a scale of 1 to 5

• 2. Education Policies
• The results show that different groups view the impact of education

policies on national unity very differently

– Malays most likely to agree that current education policies contribute positively to national unity, followed by Indians and lastly Chinese – The rural respondents give positive ratings – Northerners and Easterners gave more positive ratings, with those in the Central region being the most pessimistic – Worrying signs that Chinese show strong aversion to education in Malaysia (at school or university level), preferring foreign education over local.

• Present education policies are therefore perceived as

– Contributing positively towards national unity amongst: Malay, rural, East and North – Contributing negatively towards national unity amongst: Chinese, Central, urban.

• 2. Education Policies
• Statements in full: (on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is “Fully Disagree

and 5 is “Fully Agree”) (a) Education policies in Malaysia make people of different races more united. (b) Primary and secondary schools are good places for different races to interact. (c) Local universities help to bring people of different races closer together. (d) The standard of local universities is good. (e) I would prefer to study in Malaysia compared to overseas. (f) I would prefer to send my children to local schools/ universities instead of overseas.

• 2. Education Policies

Means (Strata) Urban Rural 3.8 4.2

On a scale of 1 to 5

Average of Statement Means (Ethnicity) Malays Chinese Indians/Ot hers Q5 (a – f) 4.28 3.25 4.02

• 3. Religious Policies
• Generally positive religious harmony rating amongst respondents, an

average of 6.9 (1-10).

– Very high ratings stating that the government should do more to help religious harmony in Malaysia – Indians had the highest number of friends of different religions, followed by Malays and then Chinese.

• However, significant differences emerged among the different groups

– Respondents from rural areas rated religious harmony significantly higher than did those from urban areas – Respondents from the Malay ethnic group rated religious harmony significantly higher than did those from Chinese and Indian/others ethnic groups. – For the statement which read “The Government helps to bring different religions together in Malaysia”, only 42% of Chinese gave high ratings (closer to fully agreeing) compared to 85% and 70% of Malays and Indians, respectively. – Easterners are the most positive, perceiving religion to be unifying Malaysians together compared with other regional counterparts.

• An opportunity for government to immediately address religious issues

which are currently resulting in pessimism amongst the Chinese.

• 3. Religious Policies
• Statements in full: (on a scale of 1 to 5)

(a) Religion brings people together in Malaysia. (b) I have friends of different religions in Malaysia. (c) It is not difficult to get along with people of different religions in the country. (d) Religious harmony will get better in the future. (e) The government helps to bring different religions together in Malaysia. (f) The government should do more to help religious harmony in Malaysia.

• 3. Religious Policies

How would you rate religious harmony in Malaysia presently, on a scale of 1-10?

6.6 7.1 7.3 5.5 6.8 6.9 6.6 6.5 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Urban Rural Malay Chinese Indians North Central South East Religious Harmony Means

• 4. Racial Harmony
• Differences in ratings of racial harmony:

– Those from the rural region rated racial harmony significantly higher than those from urban regions on a scale of 1 to 10. Indeed, 16% of those from rural regions gave a high rating compared to 12% from the urban region. Urbanites therefore show less confidence in Government’s efforts at improving racial harmony than do those from the rural strata. – For most individual statements, again there was a significant difference between ratings by Chinese as compared with responses from Malay and Indian/others ethnic groups. – Respondents from the Eastern states of Peninsular Malaysia found it relatively more difficult to relate to those of different races. – Older respondents preferred mixing with people of a different race compared to younger respondents. Similarly, the younger group gave a higher rating to the statement “I find it difficult to relate to people of a different race” compared to those of other age groups. Both the above findings are worrying indications that show the increasing racial polarisation amongst the younger generation.

• 4. Racial Harmony
• Statements in full: (evaluated on a scale of 1 to

5) (a) I like mixing with people of a different race. (b) I find it difficult to relate to people of a different race. (c) I prefer to make friends with people who are like me. (d) Different races can mix / get along well with each other in this country (e) The government is successful at bringing all races together

• 4. Racial Harmony

6.5 6.9 7.1 5.6 6.9 6.9 6.5 6.5 6.7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Urban Rural Malay Chinese Indians North Central South East Racial Harmony Scale of 1-10

How would you rate racial harmony in Malaysia on a scale of 1-10?

• 4. Racial Harmony

On a scale of 1 to 5

I find it difficult to relate to people of a different race.

2.2 2.7 2.8 3.1 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 North Central South East Region Means

• 4. Racial Harmony

On a scale of 1 to 5

4 4.1 4.2 4.3 3.85 3.9 3.95 4 4.05 4.1 4.15 4.2 4.25 4.3 4.35 18-19 20-24 25-29 30-35 Age Groups Means

“I like mixing with people of a different race.”

• 4b. Unfair Treatment
• Malays felt significantly less unfairly treated on almost all

variables compared to the Chinese and Indian/others.

– 75% of Malays stated that they had “never before” been unfairly treated on account of race, whereas only 45% of Chinese and 49% of Indians/others stated so. – 82% of Malays stated they had “never before” been unfairly treated on account of religion, as opposed to 53% for both Chinese and Indian/others.

• Respondents from the South and Central regions rated a

higher incidence of unfair treatment than did those from Northern and Eastern regions, for race and religion respectively.

• 4b. Unfair Treatment

“I have been unfairly treated due to my race.”

Unfair treatment due to race 1.8 1.3 1.4 2 2 1.5 1.7 1.9 1.4 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 Urban Rural Malay Chinese Indians North Central South East U nfair Treatm ent Means

• 4b. Unfair Treatment

q7c_d

Never Before Very Rarely Occassionally Quite Often Alw ays

Percent

80 60 40 20

race

Malay Chinese Indian/Others

• 4b. Unfair Treatment

1.6 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.9 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.3 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 Urban Rural Malay Chinese Indians North Central South East Unfair Treatment due to religion Means

“I have been unfairly treated due to my religion.”

• 4b. Unfair Treatment

q7c_e

Never Before Very Rarely Occassionally Quite Often Alw ays

Percent

100 80 60 40 20

race

Malay Chinese Indian/Others

“I have been unfairly treated due to my religion.”

• 5. National Unity Policies
• Overall, young Malaysians gave a generally positive

rating for national unity, an average of 6.48 out of 10 presently, and an average of 6.62 out of 10 in ten years from now. Malaysians expect national unity to improve slightly over the next decade.

• Respondents from rural areas rated Malaysia as being

more united than did those from urban cities.

• Malays and Indians rated national unity significantly

higher than the Chinese.

• Those from the central region gave significantly lower

ratings than did those from northern and eastern regions.

• 5. National Unity Policies
• Statements in full: (evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5)

(a) I feel that Malaysia is a country that is united. (b) I have never had bad experiences of national unity in the country. (c) It is important to talk about things that Malaysians are not happy about. (d) The Government is successful in promoting national unity in the country. (e) There are not many incidents that are bad for unity in the country. (f) We have achieved national unity in Malaysia. (g) National unity is important in my life. (h) Political parties are successful in promoting national unity in the country.

• 5. National Unity Policies

4.4 4.1 4.1 3.9 3.3 3 3 2.9 4.1 3.8 3.8 3.5 1 2 3 4 5 a d f h Statements on National Unity Average of ratings (1-5) Indians Chinese Malays Statements in full: (evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5) (a) I feel that Malaysia is a country that is united. (d) The Government is successful in promoting national unity in the country. (f) We have achieved national unity in Malaysia. (h) Political parties are successful in promoting national unity in the country.

• 5. National Unity Policies

4 3.7 3.6 3.5 4.3 4.1 4.1 3.8 1 2 3 4 5 a d f h Statements on National Unity Average of ratings (1-5) Rural Urban

Statements in full: (evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5) (a) I feel that Malaysia is a country that is united. (d) The Government is successful in promoting national unity in the country. (f) We have achieved national unity in Malaysia. (h) Political parties are successful in promoting national unity in the country.

• 5. National Unity Policies

On a scale of 1 to 10

6.3 6.8 6.9 5.4 6.9 6.8 6.4 6.2 6.6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Urban Rural Malays Chinese Indians North Central South East National Unity in Malaysia Means

Rate National Unity in Malaysia on a scale of 1-10

• II. National Unity Model I
• The National Unity Model estimates the

perception of national unity as a function of other variables

• This is a powerful prediction model.
• Using econometric software Eviews, an ordinal

logit model was estimated.

• Dependent variable = National Unity at present.
• Independent variables = Critical factors that

contribute to the perception of national unity.

National Unity Model I

Coefficient

• Std. Error

z-Statistic Prob. SOUTH

• 0.286320

0.151633

• 1.888240

0.0590 EAST

• 0.295848

0.164021

• 1.803723

0.0713 INDIAN_OTHERS 0.355835 0.205892 1.728261 0.0839 Q5D 0.246782 0.073338 3.365009 0.0008 Q6C_A 0.616573 0.097001 6.356377 0.0000 Q6C_B 0.103558 0.060283 1.717872 0.0858 Q6C_F 0.296800 0.082480 3.598469 0.0003 Q6C_G

• 0.235551

0.083502

• 2.820890

0.0048 Q7A_1 0.496162 0.056073 8.848467 0.0000 Q7A_C

• 0.187348

0.071071

• 2.636066

0.0084 Q7B_1 0.576179 0.061477 9.372266 0.0000 Q7B_C 0.151839 0.048247 3.147136 0.0016 Q8B_G 0.110462 0.044681 2.472256 0.0134 Q9_A

• 0.247565

0.103023

• 2.403011

0.0163 Q9_B 0.257656 0.098193 2.623977 0.0087 Q10_D

• 0.104357

0.057443

• 1.816703

0.0693

National Unity Model I

• National Unity at present is a function of these significant

contributing variables:

– Region (North, **South and **East) – Race (Malay, Indian/Others) – 5d: Perception of local universities – 6ca: Feeling that Malaysia is united – 6cb: Not having had bad experiences of national unity before – 6cf: Having achieved national unity in Malaysia – **6cg: National unity being important in one’s life – 7a1: Perception of religious harmony presently – **7ac: Ease of getting along with people of different religions – 7b1: Prediction of religious harmony 10 years from now – 7bc: Preference of making friends with people like them – 8bg: Government policies to help the poor should be for a particular group of Malaysians only – **9a: Thinking Malaysia will become a better place to live in – 9b: Thinking that national unity in Malaysia will improve – **10d: Thinking the police force is effective in maintaining security of people and homes

National Unity Model II

• A similar model was used to estimate

predictions of national unity in 10 years’ time.

• Dependent variable = National Unity 10

years from now

• Independent variables = See below.

National Unity Model II

Coefficient

• Std. Error

z-Statistic Prob. GENDER 0.279512 0.113052 2.472418 0.0134 INDIAN_OTHERS 0.497960 0.200243 2.486773 0.0129 AGE

• 0.156845

0.054337

• 2.886515

0.0039 Q5B 0.128510 0.074991 1.713671 0.0866 Q5C 0.138208 0.071929 1.921458 0.0547 Q6C_A 0.515287 0.094913 5.429028 0.0000 Q6C_D 0.182268 0.090194 2.020838 0.0433 Q6C_F 0.201835 0.087264 2.312935 0.0207 Q6C_G

• 0.205130

0.079372

• 2.584402

0.0098 Q7A_1 0.306042 0.053335 5.738163 0.0000 Q7A_B

• 0.265651

0.072893

• 3.644373

0.0003 Q7A_D 0.287195 0.084676 3.391712 0.0007 Q7B_1 0.380563 0.057859 6.577377 0.0000 Q7C_B 0.168687 0.058122 2.902295 0.0037

National Unity Model II

• National unity 10 years from now is a function of these

significant contributing variables:

– Gender (Male/Female) – Race (Malay, Indian/Others) – **Age (18-35 years old) – 5b: That primary and secondary schools are good places for different races to interact. – 5c: Feeling that local universities help to bring people of different races closer – 6ca: Feeling that Malaysia is united – 6cd: Thinking that the Government is successful in promoting national unity in the country – 6cf: Having achieved national unity in Malaysia – **6cg: National unity being important in one’s life – 7a1: Perception of religious harmony presently – **7ab: Having friends of different religions in Malaysia – 7ad: Thinking religious harmony will get better in the future – 7b1: Perception of racial harmony presently – 7cb: Being unfairly treated due to Education level

All 6.509484 Strata Urban 6.508636 Rural 6.51146 Race Malays 6.939042 Chinese 5.383454 Indians 6.851653 Region North 6.547289 Central 6.399309 South 6.58066 East 6.623648 Age 18-19 6.584441 20-24 6.409167 25-29 6.483698 30-35 6.596205 6.663344 6.501081 7.041071 7.143163 5.39009 7.090815 6.838235 6.502688 6.449569 7.011614 7.070843 6.550495 6.731293 6.530893 % Change 2.363626

• 0.11607

8.133523 2.941624 0.12325 3.490573 4.443763 1.615471

• 1.99207

5.857294 7.387139 2.205103 3.818733

• 0.99015

National Unity Predicted Values based on Models I & II

Present Future

National Unity Models I & II

• National Unity is predicted to increase overall, based on the national unity models.
• The exceptions were respondents from the following categories: Urban, South, and

30-35 year olds. 2 4 6 8 Full Urban Rural Malays Chinese Indians North Central South East 18-19 20-24 25-29 30-35 Full Strata Race Region Age Variables Nationa l Unity Rating (1-10) National Unity at Present National Unity 10 years from now

All 6.509484 Strata Urban 6.508636 Rural 6.51146 Race Malays 6.939042 Chinese 5.383454 Indians 6.851653 Region North 6.547289 Central 6.399309 South 6.58066 East 6.623648 Age 18-19 6.584441 20-24 6.409167 25-29 6.483698 30-35 6.596205 6.663344 6.501081 7.041071 7.143163 5.39009 7.090815 6.838235 6.502688 6.449569 7.011614 7.070843 6.550495 6.731293 6.530893 % Change 2.363626

• 0.11607

8.133523 2.941624 0.12325 3.490573 4.443763 1.615471

• 1.99207

5.857294 7.387139 2.205103 3.818733

• 0.99015

National Unity Predicted Values based on Models I & II

Present Future

• III. Additional Dimensions
• 1. Language Literacy
• 2. Youth Concerns
• 3. Inter-ethnic/Inter-religious Interactions
• 4. Ownership of Country
• 5. Future and Aspirations
• 6. Suggestions to Improve National Unity

• 1. Language Literacy

On a scale

• f 1 - 5

On a scale

• f 1 - 5

• 2. Youth Concerns

1 is the most important, 11 is the least important

• 2. Youth Concerns

2 4 6 8 10 Career Material Goods Economy Education Safety/Security Religion Politics Social Problems Environment Racial Harmony National Unity Is s u e o f C o n c e rn Rank of Importance Rural Urban

Urban respondents gave a significantly higher rank of importance to the environment and material goods compared to rural respondents, but significantly lower rank to the importance of religion in their lives. While all ethnic groups seem to give similar ratings to national unity, Malay respondents give a significantly high rank of importance to religion, whereas Chinese give lowest ranks followed by Indians.

1 is the most important, 11 is the least important

• 3. Inter-ethnic/religious Interactions

49 66 62 41 64 66 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Mainly from my own age group Mainly from my own racial group Mainly sharing my

• wn religion

My close friends are... Percentage Rural Urban 42 65 69 54 71 57 53 52 44 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Mainly from my

• wn age group

Mainly from my

• wn racial group

Mainly sharing my

• wn religion

My close friends are... Percentage Indians/Others Chinese Malay

Those within both rural and urban areas had very high proportions of friends from their own racial and religious groups. Chinese scored the highest on having close friends within their

• wn racial and age groups, whilst

Malays had the highest proportion

• f close friends from their own

religion. Respondents from the East and the South seem to be the most racially and religiously polarised, significantly more than those from Central and Northern regions.

39 55 53 51 61 60 54 73 70 41 80 79 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Mainly from my own age group Mainly from my own racial group Mainly sharing my

• wn religion

My close friends are... Percentage East South Central North

• 4. Ownership of Country

Rural respondents gave significantly higher ratings to statements of ownership of Malaysia than did urban respondents The Chinese feel that they have significantly less

• wnership of the country

than do Malays and Indians/Others. On a scale of 1 to 5 On a scale of 1 to 5

• 5. Future & Aspirations

Again, the Chinese had significantly lower ratings about the future of Malaysia than did the Malays and Indians/others. Again, the rural respondents had significantly higher ratings about the future

• f Malaysia than urban

respondents. On a scale of 1 to 5 On a scale of 1 to 5

• 6. Suggestions to

improve National Unity

• General Inequality Issues
• Inequality in University

Entrance Systems

• Other Issues related to

Higher Education

• Fine-tune Education

Programs

• Improve Education

Standards

• More Multi-racial School

Systems

• Address poverty issues
• Salary & Employment

issues

• Inequality issues in the

job market

• Safety/Security Issues
• Police force effectiveness
• Effectiveness of

politics/politicians

• Role of the public
• Cultivation from young
• Promotional campaigns/

programs

• 7. Suggestions to improve National Unity

Respondents in the rural areas gave more suggestions on promotional programs, most likely because these are the tools of national unity they have most experienced. Respondents in the urban areas gave more suggestions related to inequality issues. A significant proportion of the Chinese (32%) and Indians (24%) gave suggestions on “General Inequality Issues” as a way of improving national unity in the country, as

• pposed to only 7% of Malays,

who do not seem to see inequality issues as a problem contributing to fraying national unity.

Brief Conclusions

• Significant difference between urban and rural

respondents, the latter being more likely to perceive Malaysia as having achieved national unity.

• There are significant differences between responses

according to ethnic background. The Chinese population show marked differences in perception of national unity in Malaysia on nearly all factors: unfair treatment, racial harmony, religious harmony, and lower ratings on

• wnership of the country.
• Youth are more concerned with matters affecting their

personal lives and sphere (career, education, safety & security), and less so with public social issues (Malaysian politics, national unity).

Brief Conclusions

• Present inter-ethnic interaction is relatively superficial

across strata and ethnic backgrounds.

• NU Model is a powerful predictor of perceptions of

national unity in the present and future in Malaysia given a set of variable values, and their accompanying coefficients.

• The NU Model demonstrates the sensitivities of the

perception of national unity in relation to other independent variables.

• Given this set of present realities, there are many

challenges to the state of national unity as perceived by the young in Malaysia, many policy-related. Work should continue to constructively build national unity in the country through all necessary means.

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