A new survey conducted by pollster Merdeka Center has revealed that almost half, or 49 percent of Malaysians, think that corruption in the country has increased in the past year.

The poll also shows that the perception towards corruption in the country remains at the same rate with 77 percent perceiving the problem to be serious.

This is an unchanged average since the year 2005.

The survey, conducted in cooperation with the radio station BFM, showed that only 21 percent of respondents felt corruption has decreased, while another 20 percent believed the problem has not changed.

More than half of those who were polled, or 56 percent, also believe that the government's efforts to combat corruption leaves much to be desired.

 

"These views are more apparent among younger voters and those with Internet access," the pollster said in a statement accompanying the survey results.

 

A total of 51 percent of those polled also felt that the Auditor-General’s Report is not being taken seriously while 39 percent felt that it was.

 

"Perhaps, as a silver lining, the survey found that 67 percent of Malaysians felt it was possible for ordinary citizens to make a difference in combatting corruption," the Merdeka Center statement said.

 

This sentiment was strong among rural and low income households, it added.

 

The survey was carried out between Nov 26 and Dec 5.

A total of 1,019 registered voters, comprising 61 percent Malay, 30 percent Chinese and nine percent Indians, were interviewed by telephone.