Poll Results

KUALA LUMPUR: August 28, 2020, UCSI Poll Research Centre, releases the centre’s poll results on recovery movement control order (RMCO) to end or to extend. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were conducted between August 27 – 28, 2020. This poll was conducted among 511 people across Malaysia, and the margin of sampling error for this sample size is +/-4.0%.

The respondents were asked on the choice for status of RMCO in Malaysia. 31.11% of respondents chose to end the RMCO and 68.89% of respondents chose to extend.

Among the respondents who chose to end the RMCO, the most selected five reasons for their choice of ending the RMCO on August 31,2020 as following. 79.2% of respondents feel that the RMCO can end but to continue with mandatory MySejahtera scanning; 67.3% of respondents feel that the unemployment problem can be reduced; 67.3% of respondents trust the new normal has become part of our lives; 66.7% of respondents trust that Malaysians are disciplined enough to take of their hygiene; and 64.1% of respondents feel the economy will pick up faster without RMCO. Following by the five most selected reasons, 47.2% of respondents feel indifferent with or without RMCO, so ending it will reduce hassle for everyone; 42.2% of respondents feel that the movement control order has been overly long; and 30.8% of respondents trust that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available soon.

Among the respondents who chose to extend the RMCO, the most selected five reasons for their choice of extending RMCO on August 31, 2020 as following. 82.4% of respondents worried that the second wave may happen; 55.4% of respondents chose that the WHO has projected that the COVID-19 pandemic will last for at least another two years; 41.8% of respondents with reason that the Health Ministry of Malaysia has suggested for the extension; 38.6% of respondents not very confident with the COVID-19 vaccine that may be available in the market soon; and 35.8% of respondents feels indifferent with our without RMCO, so extending it may be better for everyone. Following by the five most selected reasons, 27% of respondents feel Malaysians are used to the standard operating procedures (SOP); 16.5% of respondents feel extending the RMCO will not affect the social welfare of the citizens; and 11.4% of the respondents feel extending the RMCO will not affect the economy.

When we asked about their expectation on the extension period. More than 61.1% of the respondents feels that the RMCO should be extended until the COVID-19 vaccine is approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and made available to all Malaysians; 48.2% of the respondents agree that the RMCO should be extended until end of 2020; 38% of the respondents feel until the COVID-19 is made available to all Malaysians; and 17.9% of respondents agree until end of 2021.

UCSI Poll Research Centre says that public opinion reflected the concern on second wave of the COVID-19 and they are willing to compromise on the extension of RMCO. Interestingly that public who wishes to end the RMCO majority remains concern and with confident on the MySejahtera applications.

This is a challenge to government and policies maker as the public opinions shows their concern on the health and safety, whilst the RMCO impacting on the country’s economic. The introduce of COVID-19 vaccination will play an important role in ending the RMCO.

More details, visit our website at www.ucsipoll.org or contact with Dr Eugene Pek Chuen Khee ([email protected])

About UCSI Poll Research Centre The UCSI Poll Research Centre (UCSI-PRC) is a public opinion research company owned by the UCSI Group. Its main objective is to utilise original and scientific research methodologies to investigate and analyse public opinions and attitudes.

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