A qualitative dipstick study by Datametrics Research and Information Centre (DARE) suggests that cost-of-living pressures, uncertainty over Malaysia’s longer-term direction, concerns over social cohesion and frustration with persistent political contestation are weighing on the outlook of ordinary Malaysians.
The small-scale qualitative exercise was undertaken ahead of Budget 2027 and against the backdrop of Malaysia’s evolving state and national political landscape. It was intended to provide an exploratory snapshot of how Malaysians are thinking about immediate household pressures as well as the country’s longer-term direction.
The exercise was designed as a qualitative pulse check rather than a statistically representative national survey. Participants were asked broad questions around four themes: whether current economic interventions, including the Economic Task Force, are doing enough to address living costs; the state of social cohesion; whether Malaysia has a sufficiently clear and compelling vision for its future; and whether today’s generation believes it enjoys opportunities comparable with those available to previous generations.
According to Pankaj Kumar, Managing Director of DARE, a common thread running through the conversations was anxiety about the future. Participants frequently raised the rising cost of everyday necessities, housing and raising a family. Others questioned whether Malaysia’s economic policies were translating quickly enough into improvements that could be felt at household level.
“There was also a recurring sense that Malaysia needs a clearer and more easily understood national destination — one capable of mobilising government, business and ordinary Malaysians behind common objectives,” he added.
“We hear about many plans and programmes, but as an ordinary Malaysian, I am not sure what Malaysia is trying to become in the next 10 or 20 years. We used to understand what Vision 2020 meant.” — Shazwan Zainal, 44, Working professional, Klang Valley
Questions surrounding social cohesion and racial harmony also generated concern. Some participants felt that political and racial controversies receive disproportionate attention and risk distracting the country from common economic challenges.
“My colleagues and friends are Malay, Chinese and Indian. Most of us worry about the same things — salaries, our children’s education, buying a house and taking care of our parents. Sometimes the politics makes Malaysia look more divided than our everyday lives actually are.” — Hee Ching Ching, 27, Young professional, Kuala Lumpur
Another recurring theme was intergenerational opportunity. Some younger participants questioned whether wage growth, housing affordability and career progression would allow them to achieve the economic security that they associate with their parents’ generation.
“My parents started with very little but felt their lives were improving every few years. For my generation, even when our salaries increase, everything else seems to increase with it.” — Nurul Syafiqah Mohd Razi, 39, Private-sector employee, Selangor
“MALAYSIANS WANT SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN”
DARE Managing Director Pankaj Kumar said the exercise should not be interpreted as an opinion poll, but as an attempt to understand the issues and sentiments beneath headline economic indicators.
“Malaysia has policy frameworks and economic programmes, but what came through from these conversations was a desire for something larger and clearer — a national direction that ordinary Malaysians can understand, participate in and believe in,” Pankaj said.
Pankaj said the findings also suggest that policymakers should view social cohesion as economic infrastructure.
“A country cannot realise its economic potential if too much national energy is consumed by political quarrels and racial polemics. Malaysia’s diversity has historically been one of its strengths. The challenge is to ensure Malaysians continue to see themselves as stakeholders in a common future.”
He added that Budget 2027 presents an important opportunity to connect immediate household concerns with longer-term national ambitions.
“People understandably want relief today, but they also want confidence about tomorrow. Malaysia needs to be able to do both — address the price of groceries this month while building the industries, skills, infrastructure and opportunities that will define the next generation.”
DARE CONSIDERING LARGER NATIONAL STUDY
Moving foward, DARE is considering undertaking a larger, structured nationwide study to examine Malaysian attitudes towards cost of living, economic opportunity, intergenerational mobility, national unity, political stability and the country’s long-term direction.
“Beyond GDP numbers and political narratives, policymakers need to understand a very simple question: How do Malaysians actually feel about their country, their opportunities and their future? That is ultimately the conversation DARE wants to deepen.”
