Corruption blocks growth

As diverse as Malaysian youths are, they agree that corruption holds back national progress.

YouthSays.com, the nation’s largest independent online youth community, in an ongoing survey to gauge its members’ attitudes towards corruption found that, at press time, 97% of 523 respondents agreed that corruption impeded the country from progressing.

The survey will end after 3,000 members have responded.

Asked whether they would support leaders who can prove they stand against corruption, 92% of respondents agreed.

However, 58% of the respondents think corruption in the country would get worse while 73% agreed that Malaysia does not have a clear anti-corruption agenda and strategy.

“This suggests corruption is a significant electoral issue for young Malaysians, and a lack in confidence in both the political will and the current strategies to address it,” said Khailee Ng, executive director of Youth Asia, which owns the YouthSays blog.

Only 28% of the respondents polled could name current Malaysian leaders who support anti-corruption.

Two out of the top five names held positions in the Government.

They are Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

The three individuals are from the Opposition – PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.

The results of the poll can be found on http://blog.youthsays.com/.