KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — Most voters going into the 15th general elections (GE15) were concerned about the economy with 74 per cent of respondents saying the country’s biggest problem is its economy.

The next biggest problems faced by the country were related to political issues (3 per cent), racial issues (3 per cent), and leadership issues (3 per cent).

The top concern for the Malaysian voters surveyed was inflation (31 per cent), followed by political instability (13 per cent), corruption (12 per cent) and enhancing economic growth (12 per cent).

"Issues driving voter motivations are fairly universal: the economy and inflation.

"But we now see voters genuinely concerned over political uncertainty, as it may mean that public priorities take a back seat compared to leaders’ efforts to stay or gain power,” it said.

In addition, 72 per cent of respondents felt that the country is going in the wrong direction due to economic concerns (32 per cent of respondents) followed by political instability (27 per cent).

Other concerns were poor and inefficient administration (12 per cent), bad quality of leadership and no welfare (8 per cent), and racial issues (3 per cent).

However, those who said the country was going in the right direction cited a favourable economy (13 per cent), good national and state administration (11 per cent), good quality leadership and welfare (8 per cent), social and public safety (5 per cent), and good development and infrastructure (1 per cent).

Dissatisfaction with the direction of the country was high among ethnic lines (65 per cent for Malays, 85 per cent for ethnic Chinese and Indians, 71 per cent for Muslim Bumiputera and 63 per cent for non-Muslim Bumiputera) and age groups (65 per cent for those aged 18 to 20, 73 per cent for those aged 21 to 30, 74 per cent for ages 31 to 40, 71 per cent for ages 41 to 50, 74 per cent for ages 51 - 60 and 71 per cent for ages 61 and above).

Merdeka Center noted that levels of dissatisfaction with the direction of the country increased after the dissolution of Parliament.

Merdeka Center surveyed 1,209 respondents aged 18 and above via telephone from all states and constituencies, proportional to the population in each parliament constituency.

The survey was conducted from October 19 to 28.