Merdeka Center: Almost half of Sarawakians polled dissatisfied with state opposition

Merdeka Center said that one-third of those polled could not provide an assessment or comments on the state PKR and DAP chiefs, Baru Bian (pic) and Chong Chieng Jen as they did not know the leaders. ― Picture by Sulok Tawie

Malay Mail Online | KUALA LUMPUR, 19-April-2016 ― Sarawak voters were split in their assessment of the state opposition’s current performance and presence, according to survey released today by Merdeka Center.

The survey, which was conducted from January 20 to January 26 this year found that 47 per cent of out 815 respondents were unsatisfied with the Sarawak opposition’s performance.

“The survey also found polarized views among voters on opposition in Sarawak… close to half, 47 per cent  of the respondents reporting being dissatisfied with the Sarawak opposition,” Merdeka Center said in a statement accompanying the survey.

Merdeka Center also said that one-third of those polled could not provide an assessment or comments on the state PKR and DAP chiefs, Baru Bian and Chong Chieng Jen as they did not know the leaders.

“When asked about Sarawak opposition leaders, more than one-third of the respondents could not provide assessments on state PKR and DAP chiefs, Baru Bian or Chong Chieng Jen, respectively,” the statement added.

Merdeka Center found 42 per cent those surveyed were unable to provide responses on PKR’s Baru while more than half of Chinese respondents did not know him.

DAP’s Chong fared slightly better, with 37 per cent of voters surveyed saying they did not know him. Close to one-half of these respondents were Bumiputera voters.

Despite this, however, the majority of respondents agreed that the opposition should have a stronger voice in the Sarawak state assembly.

According to findings, 56 per cent of those polled voted in favour of this while 32 per cent disagreed and the remaining 13 per cent were either unsure or refused to provide answers.

“The survey does show a strong appreciation among Sarawak voters for the Opposition to play a check and balance role in the governance of the state,” Merdeka Center said in its statement.

In the same survey, the independent pollster also found that a whopping 81 per cent of Sarawakians surveyed have given the thumbs up for Tan Sri Adenan Satem as their chief minister ahead of the state election in May 7.

Nominations for Sarawak’s 11th state elections has been set for April 25 while polling will take place on May 7.

Sarawak Polls: Merdeka Center survey does not show BN support

The Star Online | BAU, 19-April-2016 : The outcome of the recent Merdeka Centre survey on the popularity of the Sarawak Chief Minister does not reflect support for Barisan Nasional in the upcoming state election, says Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen.

Chong told reporters that the survey only reflected the sentiment of the ground “before the heat of the elections”.

He spoke to reporters at the launch of the Tasik Biru DAP operations centre here, adding that the outcome of the survey might be different if the survey was done now after the barring of certain lawmakers and activists from entering the state

“If you were to carry out the survey now after the arbitrary banning opposition leaders, things would be different. I am inclined to believe that the survey would not be siding (Tan Sri) Adenan (Satem) as much as it did in the survey,” said Chong.

He added that this was because people can now see his true colours based on what he has done.

The report on the survey that was released on Tuesday said that support for Adenan among the Chinese community has increased since 2013.

Data in the report showed that the Chinese support which was a meagre 15 percent in Dec 2013 and had made a jump to 71 percent in January this year.

Merdeka Center: Sarawakians’ money concerns give BN the edge in poll

Sarawak voters’ primary worry over rising costs and economic hardship will give the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition an edge in the coming state election, the Merdeka Center said. — File pic

Malay Mail Online | KUALA LUMPUR, 04-April-2016 — Sarawak voters’ primary worry over rising costs and economic hardship meant the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition will have an advantage over rivals in the upcoming Sarawak election, Merdeka Center said today.

The independent pollster said 33 per cent of 815 Sarawakian voters surveyed were most concerned about economic issues, which outstripped those who felt the Sarawak government needed to pay attention to the state’s development and infrastructure (28 per cent), state administration (8 per cent) and public safety (5 per cent).

“In our opinion, the issues that drive this election remain rooted on fundamental pocket book issues (i.e. cost of living and jobs) as well as demands for provision of basic infrastructure services in the rural constituencies of Sarawak.

“This provides latent advantage to the incumbent state ruling party as compared to the opposition as the former remains best placed to resolve such issues as compared to the latter,” it said in releasing the results of its self-funded January poll.

According to the survey results, 52 per cent of those polled said they were able to make ends meet, while 45 per cent admitted to having problems in fulfilling their financial obligations.

The majority of those polled expressed strong negative sentiments about job opportunities and the prices of consumer goods, with those saying it was unfavourable amounting to 60 per cent and 81 per cent respectively.

Among those polled, 51 per cent said their personal income was unfavourable while 40 per cent felt it was favourable.

The respondents were divided about Sarawak’s current economy with 44 per cent saying it was favourable while 50 per cent said it was unfavourable, while an overall 45 per cent and 43 per cent said they were pessimistic and optimistic about the state economy’s outlook.

Despite the cautious sentiments about the state’s economy, 55 per cent of those polled felt that Sarawak was headed in the right direction, which showed a stable outcome as 56 per cent in an earlier Merdeka Center poll last April had said the same thing.

“Among the top three reasons for voters’ positive views on the state direction included visible improvement in the state’s development and infrastructure, an economy that was still perceived to be growing and positive state leadership,” Merdeka Center said.

As for the 32 per cent who felt Sarawak was headed in the wrong direction, the main reason was related to economic worries such as living costs and job opportunities, as well as gaps in the provision of infrastructure in the state’s rural areas, Merdeka Center said.

Past surveys by Merdeka Center showed a switch in respondents’ sentiments from May 2012 when 56 per cent felt Sarawak was moving towards the wrong direction, to 59 per cent and 56 per cent saying in December 2013 and last April that the state was headed in the right direction.

In the survey held from January 20 to January 26, 815 registered voters from all 82 state seats to be contested in the Sarawak election were interviewed through fixed line and mobile telephones.

The Sarawak state legislative assembly will be dissolved on April 11, with the state election for 82 seats required to be held within 60 days from that day.

The Election Commission has not fixed the nomination and polling date for this year’s Sarawak election that will be carried out with a budget of RM135 million, but Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has indicated his preference for polls to be held on April 30.

Based on the latest electoral roll gazetted last December, a total of 1,141,294 people are eligible to vote in the Sarawak polls, including 14,000 and 9,500 from the armed forces and the police respectively.

Merdeka Center