Most M’sians see 2018 as better year — study
KUALA LUMPUR: More than one in four Malaysians, or 27 per cent polled, are concerned over a possible terrorist attack in the country this year, according to a study conducted by global market research firm Ipsos.
The Global Advisor study, which asked 28 countries including Malaysia their predictions of the year, also found that Malaysians were the most concerned about a possible stock market crash, but remained optimistic about 2018 in general.
“The Malaysian public is looking forward to 2018 with high sense of optimism,” Ispos public affairs director Arun Menon said.
“Most of us think that 2018 will be a better year than 2017, and Malaysia continues to be a safe country to live in, with only 27 per cent being concerned that there will be a terrorist attack.”
Malaysia ranked 13th out of the 28 countries when it comes to concerns regarding a local terrorist attack.
In comparison, Great Britain was the most worried over an attack on home soil with 65 per cent polled there saying so, followed by Turkey (60 per cent) and France (53 per cent).
Malaysia, however, came out top on concerns that the stock market will crash, with 51 per cent polled believing so.
The country also ranked second when it comes to believing 2018 will see China's rise into the world's biggest economy, with 71 per cent of Malaysians believing it.
Nearly half of Malaysians, at 48 per cent, also believed that a war between the United States and North Korea is imminent this year.
Overall however, Malaysians were highly optimistic about 2018, with 77 per cent believing that 2018 will be better than 2017.
Ipsos said it polled over 500 respondents in Malaysia for the survey via the Ipsos Online Panel.
It also conceded that Malaysian respondents were more urban and educated, and may not be totally representative of the country.