In a recent national survey that revealed only 49% of Malaysians who are aware of the availability of various types of government products or assistance, were also asked if they were aware of 11 types of 1Malaysia products:
- Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia
- Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia
- Klinik 1Malaysia
- Free Medical Treatment for Senior Citizens
- Bantuan Buku 1Malaysia
- Kad Diskaun Siswa 1Malaysia
- Skim Latihan 1Malaysia (SL1M)
- Back to School Initiative
- Bantuan Lesen 1Malaysia
- 10.Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia (PR1MA)
- 11.Teksi 1Malaysia
A majority of these respondents (78%) answered aware for these 1Malaysia products. BR1M recorded the highest with 99% of the respondents stating that they are aware of it. Klinik 1Malaysia (98%), Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) (96%), Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia (PR1MA) (91%), Bantuan Buku 1Malaysia (91%), Free Medical Treatment for Senior Citizens (80%), Kad Diskaun Siswa 1Malaysia (74%), Skim Latihan 1Malaysia (SL1M) (68%) and Bantuan Lesen 1Malaysia with 67% who are aware.
When probed further to ascertain what their thoughts were on whether or not these 1Malaysia products are helping the deserving groups, Free Medical Treatment for Senior Citizens recorded highest with 90% stating that it is helping the deserving group. Klinik 1Malaysia with 88%, followed by Bantuan Buku 1Malaysia (81%), Back to School Initiative (81%), Kad Diskaun Siswa 1Malaysia (77%), Bantuan Lesen 1Malaysia (75%), Skim Latihan 1Malaysia (SL1M) (67%), Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) (66%), Teksi 1Malaysia (63%), Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) (61%) and Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia (PR1MA) (51%).
When queried, 42% out of 1,047 Malaysians agree that the Government should continue to provide assistance regardless of increased debt. Further along the survey, 38% believe that the continued assistance by the Government will make people become more dependent and will result in lack of competitiveness. This was the opposite for 40% of the respondents and the balance 22% remained neutral. When asked if the available government products and assistance have achieved the objective of helping the deserving groups, 42% responded with a No, 22% for Yes and 36% opted to remain neutral.
1,047 Malaysians were asked to prioritise between urban and rural areas in terms of the government channeling assistance to and 56% responded that both areas should be given equal priority, 28% selected rural, 10% opted for urban and the balance 7% are not sure. The responded were also asked what type of assistance is most important for the Government to provide and 41% of the 1,047 respondents suggested that both short and long term assistance are equally important, 39% chose long term assistance and 7% opted for short term assistance.
KAJIDATA Advisor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Syed Arabi Idid added that half of the respondents (50%) believe that these products and assistance are positively impacting the deserving groups while 27% believe otherwise. Further analysis also revealed that on average, those who are in the middle income group relatively disagree that these products are helping the deserving groups.
