A total of 82 percent of respondents who took part in the survey ‘MADANI Economic Initiatives: People’s Acceptance’, supported and accepted the 30 MADANI Economic Initiatives announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim since he assumed office about a year ago.
The study by a group of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) researchers for 34 days starting Nov 1 involved 4,606 respondents who were randomly selected from 21,473,409 registered voters, including all races, genders and ages, in all parliamentary constituencies in the country.
UUM in a statement informed that a study by a group of researchers from the institution and two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) found that the most supported initiative was the Unity Government’s efforts to help the needy, especially the poor.
“Among them the initiative to encourage Padiberas Nasional Bhd (BERNAS) to contribute RM60 million to poor rice farmers which received 96 per cent support compared to two per cent objections, while the stubborn poor initiative received 93 per cent support compared to three per cent objections.
“Also receiving the highest response from the respondents was the initiative of providing an additional contribution of RM600 to the poorest households receiving the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) which received 93 percent support compared to four percent objections,” according to the study.
In addition, another aspect of the MADANI Economy Initiative that received the most support was the Unity Government’s efforts to fight corruption with high acceptance of the government’s move to introduce the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Bill.
The measure, which received 94 percent support against two percent objections, is believed to guarantee a more transparent and responsible economic policy.
“Also receiving support was the government’s initiative to introduce the Government Procurement Bill to ensure that there can be no arbitrary waste of people’s money and violations of the law, which received 94 percent support compared to two percent objections.
“For the initiative to implement institutional reforms and good governance to eliminate all spaces that can create corrupt practices, it received 93 percent support compared to four percent objections,” according to the study.
Meanwhile, the study also found that 83 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with the clarity of the direction of economic policies under the Malaysia MADANI concept compared to seven percent of dissatisfaction.
“A total of 78 percent of respondents also expressed confidence that the MADANI Economic Initiative is capable of making Malaysia’s economy stronger and 66 percent of respondents also expressed their satisfaction with the Prime Minister’s performance in managing the Malaysian economy,” the study informed.
According to the statement, the findings of the study negate the statement of some parties that the economic policy under the Malaysia MADANI concept does not have a clear direction.
At the same time, the results of this study also directly reject the notion that many citizens are not satisfied with the efforts of the Unity Government to help the needy, fight corruption and generate economic growth.
