Journal of Social Science for Policy Implications

Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness towards Malaysia’s Economic Policy and Income Inequality: A Comparison between Malays and Chinese Malays
Megumi Ito, Minakshi Keeni and Katsuhito Fuyuki

Abstract
The study wishes to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and awareness of Malays and Chinese Malays towards Malaysia’s economic policy and income inequality. Understanding citizens’ knowledge, attitude and awareness towards a policy response to economic inequality can help gauge the effectiveness of the policy and develop interventions to improve opportunities for disadvantaged groups. It also helps in gaining a perspective on how different sections of society respond to inequality. Through an online survey, data of 150 respondents were collected. Using OLS regression, Malay respondents were found to have higher knowledge and positive attitude towards Malaysia’s Economic policy than the Chinese Malays. However, it was interesting to note Malays in the B40 income group and Chinese Malays in the T20 income group had a negative attitude towards Malaysia’s economic policy. Hence, it can be concluded that while the Malays felt economically marginalized, the Chinese Malays felt themselves to be ethnically marginalized.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jsspi.v10n1a1