KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 16): Job or employment loss appears to be Malaysians' top worry as the unprecedented Covid-19-led economic crisis has taken a toll on everyone across the nation, according to independent think tank EMIR Research Sdn Bhd's survey involving 2,096 respondents.
EMIR Research president and chief executive officer Datuk Wira Dr Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff said in a media release today that 85% of respondents highlighted job loss as their top worry, followed by the threat of infection through illegal immigrants at 81%.
"The state-wide survey was conducted in August involving 2,096 respondents comprising the rakyat (citizens) from all the states in Malaysia including Sabah, Sarawak and the federal territories," Rais said.
He said 80% of respondents indicated insufficient income and quality of education as major concerns while 75% cited quality of healthcare due to Covid-19 as a crucial concern.
Meanwhile, the current political instability, which has a direct impact on lives and livelihoods, also plays a major part in contributing to the worries among citizens, according to him.
"Among the objectives of the poll are to profile the rakyat's worries and track changes in the national worry index, assess the rakyat's hopes and expectations towards the government, and track changes in the government satisfaction index among people of different communities and socio-economic statuses," Rais said.