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Values of Malaysian Youth
Rose Ismail and Ranjeetha Pakiam, New Straits Times.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 2005:
Are Malaysian youths undiscerning, too trusting and clueless about the world around them? Findings from a nationwide survey carried out late last year seem to suggest so. Seven of 10 young people said they found politics and Government "too complicated to understand"; a huge number had not travelled on their own before turning 18; yet one-fifth claimed they had "done the utmost" in their youth. Perhaps the most significant finding was that two out of three placed considerable trust in the Government, with Malays registering the highest (73 per cent). Among the 852 respondents, a discernibly high level of obedience was noted, indicating that many young people accept without question decisions made by those in authority. In keeping with this profile, more than half said they had no complaints about freedom of speech and expression, claiming they felt free to speak up on social and economic issues.

There was, however, some doubt about articulating political issues, with only 40 per cent saying they felt free enough to voice their opinions on such matters. The poll, conducted by Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research, which tracks public opinions regularly, also found four out of five youths agreeing that books with "dangerous" ideas should be banned. Only half the respondents felt that university students should be allowed to discuss politics, which explains the mute and sedate atmosphere on local campuses. Interestingly, more than 60 per cent were strongly against detention without trial but a sizable number also supported the Internal Security Act, perhaps not realising that this involved detention without trial. The Opposition is likely to be dismayed by these findings but, as pointed out by Dr Hyacinth Goudart, they do reflect positive developments in the country, "The youth probably feel Government does know best (as revealed in the survey) because many things are going well," said the academic. "But this does not mean they are apathetic about their surroundings.

It could be that they are happy with the way things are done here. In truth, life in Malaysia is like paradise compared with some other countries in the world." Ibrahim Suffian, who led the poll, said everything began from the home. If young people were raised to be uncritical, they would continue through life like that unless the education system taught them otherwise. However, despite the inordinately high level of trust in authority, he said he noticed many respondents were discerning about Government decisions and actions. They knew, for instance, that the Government was doing its best to reduce corruption but they also recognised that it was an uphill task for the authorities to handle crime, drug abuse and VCD/DVD piracy. The poll also revealed a high degree of respect for the Prime Minister and young people's willingness to support him. But they are also more likely than many adults to hold Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to his promises. The poll, the third sponsored by Friedrich Naumann Foundation for the New Straits Times, also picked up several lingering concerns. More than half of the respondents wanted ethnic-based political parties to be removed and were split down the middle on quotas in universities and privileges for Malays.

Research assistant Jochebed Jayasoooria, 22, said the Government had introduced many good changes but there was still room for improvement, especially in racial issues. "Despite all the steps taken to tear down racial barriers, they still exist," she said. "Only when the barriers are removed can we move closer towards achieving a Bangsa Malaysia." A 29-year-old engineer, P. Shatiashrijaya, was concerned that the Government may be losing touch with today's youth. "Some policies in the past have directly or indirectly led us away from the creation of a Bangsa Malaysia," he said. His sentiments were echoed by customer service executive Kenneth Tan, 24, who felt that more could be done for unity and integration. "Differences between races have been accentuated in recent years. For example, why force us to identify ourselves as Malay, Indian or Chinese?" he asked. "If we are going to be working in the same team, we have to feel we belong to the same team." Although 82 per cent of those polled said National Service should continue, some young people like Shatiashrijaya felt the programme should not be "forced" on people. Sakinah Arifin, a 23-year-old working in an advertising firm, said she felt the Government wanted only the best for youth but did not know to go about it.

Youths, she said, had to be more exposed instead of being "protected" or shielded from Western influences. Sakinah also suggested that the Government provide more outlets for the youth to take part in sports and youth-oriented activities. The survey respondents, between the ages of 16 and 30, were selected randomly, taking ethnicity, gender and place of residence into consideration. Not surprisingly, young Malaysians were most concerned about education, followed by family, jobs, money and career. But the benefits of education were viewed differently by different races: Two-thirds of Malays said education was needed to build character and mind but two-thirds of non-Malays said it was for better income and jobs. Overall, six out of 10 said their education had not adequately prepared them to face the challenges of today's society. Of these, shockingly, 46 per cent were degree holders. As expected, more than half - the Chinese especially - felt the education system was too exam-oriented. Most non-Malays said studying overseas allowed the student more experience, independence and better-quality education. Perhaps because of language problems, most Malays preferred studying in local universities and felt there was no difference between university education in Malaysia and overseas. Finally, a quarter of Malaysian youth said the most important definition of success was "raising a happy family", followed by "getting a good job".