PETALING JAYA: Is RM8,000 per month enough for a family in Petaling Jaya to live, or is RM17,000 per month a fairer, more comfortable amount?
These are among the questions that Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) wants Malaysians to reply to in an online survey about household income classification and restructuring subsidies.
Titled A Study on the Classification of Household Income and Gradual Removal of Subsidies, the survey wants to gather public perspectives on the government’s proposal to gradually remove subsidies for RON95 petrol and other services for the top 15% income group (T15).
The poll, which runs until Nov 18, is by UTAR’s Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies (TCLC) and the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (INSAP).
UTAR TCLC chairman Dr Chin Yee Mun said recent public discussions have questioned the government’s proposal to restructure subsidies.
“We are exploring perceptions about the classification of household income, as well as their responses to the government’s announcement of reducing subsidies for the T15.
“We want to understand public sentiment on these government decisions, as public engagement is crucial to ensuring that policies are informed by the experiences and insights of all Malaysians.
“That’s why we have opted for an online method to reach a broader audience,” he said in an interview yesterday.
With Internet penetration in Malaysia at around 93%, Chin was hopeful that the method would reach more people despite its limitations.
“We are leveraging our network of friends and collaborating with various NGOs to encourage widespread participation. We also hope the media can help publicise the survey.”
Since the online poll is an explorative study, Chin said that it should not be seen as a full representation of the views of all Malaysians.
“Instead, we hope to identify certain thought patterns on these issues.”
Chin said the survey will rely on people-defined classifications of income, which are derived from their experiences instead of preset income ranges.
“The current government-defined categories may not accurately reflect public sentiment.
“Are benchmarks or indexes like the Basic Expenses for Decent Living or Perbelanjaan Asas Kehidupan Wajar (PAKW) and income ranges of T20 and M40 truly reflective of the reality for Malaysians?
“Is RM8,000 enough for a middle-class family to live comfortably, or is RM17,000 sufficient for a household with children in Petaling Jaya?
“So the poll will ask respondents to provide figures they believe represent a decent living standard, based on their personal experiences and observations of everyday living costs,” he said.
Chin hopes this grassroots insight will offer the government a new reference point, prompting more in-depth studies and consideration of public-defined income classifications to ensure social justice and economic well-being.
“We call on Malaysians to participate in this poll, as their input is vital for shaping policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of society.”
A report on the survey’s findings will be shared with the public and relevant government bodies, while a public talk at UTAR will be organised to discuss the study.
The online poll is open until Nov 18. To participate, visit https://forms.gle/Bjmcnw54p3ExQ1Yg6.
