KUALA LUMPUR (March 24): A national survey has found that only 37% of Malaysians support the concept of an open and a liberalised economy.

"A majority (54%) still believes that a protectionist economy is better," said the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), based on its survey on the level of public understanding on liberalism in Malaysia.

"A majority of Malays (59%) and Indians (74%) believe that protectionism is better," IDEAS chief executive officer Wan Saiful Wan Jan said in announcing the survey findings. "While among the ethnic Chinese only 37% wants protectionism."

He said 67% of those who work in government or government-linked companies (GLCs) believe that protectionism is better.

"Interestingly, and perhaps naturally, a majority of those who work in government or GLCs feels that more government involvement in the country is good," Wan Saiful said.

This is countered by 53% of those in the private sector and 55% of those who are self-employed feeling that less government involvement is better, he said.

The survey, which interviewed a sample population of 1,207 respondents across Malaysia, found that a majority of them have very little understanding about what the word "liberalism" actually means.

"When the word 'liberalism' was not used, the majority were actually supportive of many liberal practices," said Wan Saiful. "Despite the loud shouting by some, only a small minority actually opposes liberalism."

The survey found that 29% of Muslims and 13% of non-Muslims think that liberalism is a bad concept for the country, as it may bring negative effects towards the religions, particularly Islam.

"So, despite the fact that the shouting comes mainly from the Malay-Muslim population, I think it will be misleading to assume that these loud voices represent the majority. They are the minority, (though) they might be very vocal," said Wan Saiful