VOTERS’ PERCEPTIONS ON THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT (MPs) OF BUKIT KATIL AND KOTA MELAKA BY NUR AMALINA BINTI MUHAMMAD NOR A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Human Sciences (Political Science) Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences International Islamic University Malaysia FEBRUARY 2012 ABSTRACT This study analyzes the perceptions of Malay and Chinese voters on the performance of their Members of Parliament (MPs) and their level of satisfaction with MPs in Bukit Katil and Kota Melaka parliamentary constituencies in Melaka. The data were collected through questionnaires from a stratified sample of 320 respondents of the two constituencies. In addition, references are made to books, journals, reports, and electronic sources. The data thus collected were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Program (SPSS). The study uses the framework developed by the National Democratic Institute. The study found that the residents of the two constituencies are not totally satisfied with their MPs even though they agreed on certain items. The six hypotheses which guided this thesis are confirmed. The study also found that age, education, income, occupation, and party affiliation of the respondents influence the evaluation of their MPs. ii خﻻصة البحث حتاولىذه الدراسة حتليل تصورات ادلصوتني ادلﻻيويني والصينيني حنو أداء ممثليهم يف الربدلان، وتتييم مسوو رراىم اه أأعاء بدلااني دسسوريني يف ﻻﻻا وحتديدا ًا يف وﻻيت ﻻاتيل وﻻوتا ﻻﻻا. ومجعت علو ات الدارسة ن اسسبااة اسسهدف 320 أينة ن ﻻﻻ الربدلااني، إرافة إىل عض ادلصادر ثل الكسب، واجملﻻت احملكمة، والستاريب، وغريىا ن ادلصادر اﻹلكرتواية. وتتوم ىذه الدراسة اﻹحصائية سحليل النسائج أن طبيق باا ج حز ة اﻹحصاءات للعلوم اﻻجسماأية . وطور إطار البحث ادلطبق لو ذه الدراسة ن عهد الدميتباطية الوطنية. وأوجدت الدراسة أن ىناك خصائص ﻷأعاء الربدلان تبولة ن قبل ادلصوتني ادلﻻيويني والصينيني، ع وجود فبوق يف اخلصائص اﻷخبو . و ن ادلثري اﻻىسمام، أوجدت ىذه الدراسة أن ادلصوتني ادلﻻيويني والصينيني مل يستبلو أو يوافتو ا شكل ﻻبري أداءات أأعاء الربدلان احلاليني . ﻻما أوجدت الدراسة أن العمب، والسعليم، والدخل ادلايل، وادلهنة، والطموحات احلز ية لدو العينة أثبت ألى تتييمهم ﻷأعاء الربدلان. iii APPROVAL PAGE I certify that I have supervised and read this study and that in my opinion it conforms to acceptable standards of scholarly presentation and is fully adequate, in scope and quality, as a dissertation for the degree of Master of Human Sciences (Political Science). ……………………………….. Muhamad Fuzi Omar Supervisor I certify that I have read this study and that in my opinion it conforms to acceptable standards of scholarly presentation and is fully adequate, in scope and quality, as a dissertation for the degree of Master of Human Sciences (Political Science). ………………………………. Abdul Rashid Moten Examiner This dissertation is submitted to the Department of Political Science and is accepted as fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Human Sciences (Political Science). ……………………………….. Tunku Mohar Tunku Mokhtar Head, Department of Political Science This dissertation is submitted to the Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences and is accepted as fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Human Sciences (Political Science). ……………………………….. Badri Najib Zubir Dean, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences iv DECLARATION I hereby declare that this dissertation is the result of my own investigations, except where otherwise stated. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted as a whole for any other degree at IIUM or other institutions. Nur Amalina Binti Muhammad Nor Signature……………………… Date…………………….. v COPYRIGHT PAGE INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA DECLARATION OF COPYRIGHT AND AFFIRMATION OF FAIR USE OF UNPUBLISHED RESEARCH Copyright © 2012 by International Islamic University Malaysia. All rights reserved. VOTERS’ PERCEPTIONS ON THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT (MPs) OF BUKIT KATIL AND KOTA MELAKA No part of this unpublished research may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder except as provided below. 1. Any material contained in or derived from this unpublished research may only be used by others in their writing with due acknowledgement. 2. IIUM or its library will have the right to make and transmit copies (print or electronic) for institutional and academic purposes. 3. The IIUM library will have the right to make, store in a retrieval system and supply copies of this unpublished research if requested by other universities and research libraries. Affirmed by Nur Amalina Binti Muhammad Nor. ……………………………. ……………….. Signature Date I hereby affirmed that The Internationalvi Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) hold all rights in the copyright of this Work and henceforth any production or use in any form or by means whatsoever is prohibited without the written consent of IIUM. No part of this unpublished research may be reproduced, stored in a DEDICATION I dedicate this research to my lovely family and fiancée. For the love, earnest prayer, and endless support. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Alhamdulillah, praise be to Allah (S.W.T) for giving me the strength and health to do this research. This research would not have been possible without the guidance and help of several individuals who directly or indirectly contributed to the completion of this research. It is with immense gratitude that I acknowledge the support and help of my supervisor, Asst. Prof. Dr. Muhamad Fuzi Omar who was very helpful and offered precious assistance, support and guidance. It also gives me great pleasure in acknowledging the support and help of Asst. Prof. Dr. Tunku Mohar, Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid Moten, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ishtiaq Hossain, Prof. Dr. El-Fatih A. Abdel Salam, and the entire staff of Department of Political Science and International Islamic University library. My personal and special appreciation to my family members who never fail to be with me at anytime and any situation with love, support and tolerance. My appreciation also goes to all my friends especially Maisarah Saniah and Noridah for their support and encouragement throughout this period. I must not forget my fiancée for the love, support, and constant patience and teaching me about sacrifice and discipline. Last but not least, I offer my regards and blessings to all of those who supported me in any respect during the completion of this research. Thank you all. viii TABLE OF CONTENT Abstract……………………………………………………………………………. ii Abstract in Arabic…………………………………………………………………. iii Approval Page ……………………………………………………………………... iv Declaration Page…………………………………………………………………… v Copyright Page…………………………………………………………………….. vi Dedication…………………………………………………………………………. vii Acknowledgments…………………………………………………………………. viii List of Tables………………………………………………………………………. xi List of Abbreviations………………………………………………………………. xiii CHAPTER 1: FRAMEWORK OF STUDY……………………………………. 1 Background and History…………………………………………………… 1 Statement of the Problem…………………………………………………... 3 Objectives of the Study…………………………………………………….. 4 Justification of the Study…………………………………………………... 4 Literature Review…………………………………………………………...5 Conceptual Framework…………………………………………………….. 13 Methods of Data Collection………………………………………………... 17 Chapter Outline…………………………………………………………….. 19 CHAPTER 2: BUKIT KATIL AND KOTA MELAKA CONSTITUENCIES: AN OVERVIEW………………………………………… 22 Introduction………………………………………………………………… 22 Basic Information …..………………………………………………………22 Geographic Features of Bukit Katil and Kota Melaka……………...27 Political Characteristics……………………………………………. 28 Economy…………………………………………………………… 30 Demography………………………………………………………... 30 Registered Voters and Polling Districts…………………………………… 31 1999, 2004 and 2008 Elections in Bukit Katil and Kota Melaka………….. 36 Conclusion…………….…………………………………………………….38 CHAPTER 3: ETHNICITY AND PERCEPTIONS OF RESPONDENTS TOWARDS THEIR MPs………………………………………………………… 39 Introduction………………………………………………………………… 39 Sample characteristics ………………………………………………………39 Respondents’ perceptions………………………………………………….. 44 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..50 CHAPTER 4: PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE MPs BASED ON AGE, EDUCATION, INCOME, OCCUPATION, AND PARTY AFFILIATION……………………………………………………………………. 52 Age and Perceptions towards the MPs……………………………………...52 Education and Perceptions towards the MPs………………………………. 53 ix Income and Perceptions towards the MPs…………………………………. 55 Occupation and Perceptions towards the MPs……………………………... 56 Party Affiliation and Perceptions towards the MPs………………………... 57 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..59 CHAPTER 5: THE LEVEL OF RESPONDENTS’ SATISFACTION WITH THEIR MPs………………………………………….. 60 Introduction………………………………………………………………… 60 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..68 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION............................................................................... 69 Introduction………………………………………………………………… 69 Summary of Findings………………………………………………………. 69 Limitations of the Study and Recommendations…………………………... 72 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..74 BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………… 75 APPENDIX I: Questionnaire…………………………………………………….. 78 x LIST OF TABLES Table No. Page No. 1.1 Parliamentary and State seats in Melaka 2 2.1 Melaka Population Estimates by Ethnic Group in 2008 23 2.2 Elected Members of Parliament in Melaka after the 12th General Elections, 2008 24 2.3 Number of Votes Obtained by Candidates for Parliament