back to news

Malaysians want stake in Umno leadership selection
12-Mar-2009, The Edge Daily
Written by Elaine Chee and Lam Jian Wyn

A national voter survey indicated that most Malaysians insist to have a say in the selection of Umno leaders.
The poll, conducted by the Merdeka Center for Opinion Reseach, revealed that 79% of voters say "Umno delegates must take into consideration the views of ordinary Malaysians in determining Umno leadership line-up as it influences national politics".

Of the 1,031 registered voters in peninsular Malaysia interviewed for the survey, 19% said Umno should exercise "fair treatment to all races", with 54% of Indian respondents agreeing. When asked what criteria Umno leaders should emulate, 21% replied "being just to the rakyat”, with the criteria earning the votes of 49% of Indian respondents.

As the Umno General Assembly and party election draws near, the survey also revealed voters' perception towards issues affecting Umno, with 61% of voters citing corruption as the most serious problem

.

Malay voters also gave a vote of confidence to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein as the preferred candidates for the deputy president and vice president posts. Muhyiddin garnered 61% support while 17% of Malay voters picked Hishamuddin. For the top Umno Youth spot, 52% chose Mukhriz Mahathir as their No 1 choice.

It was interesting to note, however, that among the Chinese voters who responded to the poll, almost half were unfamiliar with any of the contenders for the UMNO Youth leadership, and candidates for the vice presidency.

Meanwhile, 51% supported Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil for the Wanita post, with 60% of Malay respondents throwing their weight behind her while 38% of Chinese respondents were caught unawares, not knowing the Wanita chief candidates.

The study was a collaboration between the Merdeka Center and academics from the International Islamic University Malaysia and was conducted from Feb 4-16 via telephone. The respondents comprise 57% Malays, 31% Chinese and 12% Indians.