Poll shows many urban Malaysians back right to public demonstrations

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 – Fact or myth: That a majority of Malaysians opposed the ISA protests and other demonstrations.

Fact or myth: That city folk despise street protests and the traffic congestion and other disruptions brought about when thousands of Malaysians march.

Findings of a recent survey – carried out after the ISA demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur – shows that there is a slim margin between those who support and oppose street protests.

The poll of 1,000 individuals representative of the demographics of the country also indicates that the majority of urban dwellers believe that the government should allow street protests, supporting the thesis that city folk are willing to put up with traffic congestion and other inconvenience as long as demonstrators are championing issues of national interest.

Some 50 per cent of those polled believed that demonstrations are a waste of time, and believed that the government should move to stop protests. But 42 per cent supported the ISA protests and felt that the government should allow demonstrations.

This finding will surprise the Barisan Nasional government that has operated on the premise that the vast majority of Malaysians or the silent majority of peace and stability-loving individuals are against the messiness of street politics. - + selanjutnya

Poll shows many urban Malaysians back right to public demonstrations