Malaysians forever proud of their motherland

It looks like nothing -- neither our differences of opinion on political, social and economic matters nor the changes in the ruling parties and governments -- can stop Malaysians from taking great pride in their motherland.

That is the outcome of a 17-year nationwide study conducted by Datuk Seri Professor Syed Arabi Idid of the International Islamic University Malaysia (UIAM) since 2003, with results consistently showing that at least 90 per cent of Malaysians were either proud or very proud of their country.

“Our findings in 2003 showed that 97 per cent of Malaysians were proud of the country. In a survey in July 2020, 96 per cent recorded their pride as Malaysians. The lowest rating recorded was in 2017, but even then the figure was at 90 per cent,” Syed Arabi, who also the former rector of UIAM, told Bernama here today.

He said this showed that whichever party ruled the country, or whoever the prime minister may be, Malaysians simply saw only the best of the nation.

The surveys were conducted nationwide, with the total respondents ranging from 800 to 1,600 and with a proportionate representation according to race and age groups. Since the percentage is high, there are no apparent differences between the race and age groups.

-- BERNAMA