KUALA LUMPUR: The National Youth Survey conducted by pollster Merdeka Centre reveals that 52 per cent of Malaysian youths feel that Malaysia is heading in the wrong direction.
Among those who viewed the country as heading in the wrong direction, 48 per cent cited economic issues as their primary concern, followed by administrative issues, 10 per cent; politics, nine per cent; racial issues, four per cent, while three per cent of them raised concern over the country leadership.
Meanwhile, 33 per cent of the respondents believed the country was on the right track, with 15 per cent of this group raised economic concerns, administrative concerns (12 per cent), development and infrastructure (five per cent); leadership (five per cent) and politics (five per cent).
Overall, 77 per cent of the respondents are concerned about the economy, particularly regarding the high cost of living and inflation (41 per cent of them), lower-income, minimum wages and wage issues (15 per cent); and the unfavourable economic conditions in general (nine per cent).
To gain public support, about 28 per cent of the respondents believe that the government should prioritise reducing inflation, while 15 per cent think it should focus on enhancing economic growth.
Meanwhile, 56 per cent of respondents express trust in the federal government, whereas 36 per cent do not.
Survey sources commend the government for its welfare assistance to the needy but suggest it should achieve greater stability and transparency.
When asked if they trusted the politicians, 59 per cent of them responded in the affirmative, while 31 per cent others said they did not trust them.
"I appreciate the government's efforts in introducing Digital ID and providing welfare assistance to the needy," read the report, quoting a respondent.
The report was quoted as saying that politicians seem more focused on maintaining power than genuinely solving the public's problems.
"Parliament often feels like a battleground where real issues get lost
in the noise of political interest," it read.