Rising cost of living top concern among Sarawak voters - Merdeka Center

Economic issues over the rise in cost of living, jobs and other related matters were among the top concerns of Sarawak voters, said a Merdeka Center survey for Opinion Research on Wednesday.

The survey said 33 per cent of Sarawak voters listed these issues as one of their top concern.

This was followed by the need for development gaps, state administration and public safety issues to be fulfilled at 28 per cent, 8 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively.

In the same survey, 55 per cent of the respondents agreed that Sarawak state was headed in the right direction, mainly due to its visible improvement in the state’s development and infrastructure -- an economy that was still perceived to be growing and positive state leadership.

“However, 32 per cent of the respondents felt the otherwise. They suggested that the state was headed in the wrong direction, principal reason for their negative assessment hinged on economic concerns (rising cost of living, jobs) and gaps in the provision of infrastructure in the rural areas of the state,” said the survey, which was concluded last January.

The survey found voters to be cautious about the outlook of the state economy, with 45 per cent reporting pessimism and 43 per cent remaining optimistic.

“Despite the guarded sentiments about the economy, a majority or 55 per cent of voters were satisfied with the state government’s handling of the economy.

“In terms of fulfillment of expectations, 79 per cent of voters were satisfied with the state government’s action on issues such as protecting religious freedom, 32 per cent satisfied with them providing basic amenities while 34 per cent satisfied with education.

“They were more dissatisfied on areas such as providing jobs, public transport and eradicating corruption in public sector.”

The survey involved 815 respondents made up of registered voters and the findings were published on Merdeka Center website.