Poll Results

Kuala Lumpur | 10 March 2023

UCSI Poll Research Centre recently conducted poll research on Malaysians aged 18 and above on their current perception on food security.

The poll started by asking the repondents of their perception on a balance diet. Surprisingly, only 26% out of 1,1181 respondents perceived to understand the actual meaning of a balanced diet. Most of the respondents (30%) perceived balance diet as diets that only include carbohydrates, vegetables, protein, vitamins and fats whereas an actual balanced diet should include minerals and water as well.

The poll then continue by asking the respondents of their frequentness in preparing their own meal. The result shows that 17% never prepare their meals, 28% always prepare their meals, and 55% prepare their meals sometimes.

Among 977 respondents who prepared their own meal, 36% of them prepare their own food because they have ample of free time, 22% due to financial constraints and 21% are concerned on eating healthy.

In terms of financial constraint, the respondents were asked if they had face financial constraints on accessing food purchases in the past three months. A total of 492 (42%) respondents had financial constraint when purchasing food and the other respondent were fine in accessing food purchase.

The poll then asked respondents that faced financial constraints in food purchase on how they overcome the problem when it occurs. Out of the 492 respondents, 46% did not get to eat healthy and nutrious food, 35% had to borrow money from friends and 20% skipped meals to survive the day.

Next, the poll continues by asking respondents on the availability and costs of the common foods in Malaysia. The outcome shows that lamb is one of the most costly food with 40%, followed by seafood other than fish with 39%, and cow meat with 36% are considered hardly available and excessively expensive in Malaysia.

Lastly, the respondents were asked on the common cooking essentials that are too expensive in Malaysia. Results shows that cooking oil is on the top list  with 50%, and 46% on sauces and coconut cream. It is alarming as shortage of cooking oil has been an issue for Malaysians even before the pandemic strike.

Assistant Professor Dr Tan Choon Hui, Head of Food Science and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, commented that there are a few barriers among stakeholders in ensuring a healthy, sustainable and safe food system in Malaysia. Based on her research, the barriers include conflicting agendas among stakeholders, lack of awareness among consumers, difficulty in changing producers’ large-scale farming techniques and limited funding or resources.

This survey calls for actions from stakeholders including government, food industry players, farmers, academia, and NGOs to improve the food security in Malaysia especially in the rural areas.

About UCSI Poll Research Centre The UCSI Poll Research Centre (UCSI-PRC) is a public opinion research company owned by the UCSI Group. Its main objective is to utilise original and scientific research methodologies to investigate and analyse public opinions and attitudes.