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Mixed view on Bersih rally
29-Aug-2015, The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: Forty-seven per cent of respondents in an opinion poll said they are against the Bersih 4 rally compared to 43% who are for it.

The Merdeka Center poll surveyed 1,010 registered voters between Aug 15 and 21, and found that fear of violence and doubts whether Bersih would achieve anything significant were the main reasons cited by those against the rally.

On the other hand, a desire to see improvements in the election process and in Parliament were among the top reasons cited by those supporting Bersih 4.

The respondents comprised 60% Malays, 31% Chinese and 9% Indians. The survey found that supporters of the rally were mostly divided along ethnic, urban-rural and socio-economic lines.

They were mostly urbanites (51%) and those with a mid-level income of more than RM3,000 a month (57%), according to the findings.

Merdeka Center said 81% of the Chinese respondents expressed support for Bersih, compared to 51% for Indians and 23% for Malays.

“The survey reveals a peninsular Malaysia electorate that is polarised along ethnic and socio-economic lines,” said the opinion research firm in a statement.

“While the Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur is likely to attract a high level of participation, the survey suggests that the participants will likely be urban, Internet-savvy and non-Bumiputra voters,” it said.