Sad To Think That We Are Believed To Be Happy

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Malaysians, it seems, are a contented people. At least that is what the results of a survey conducted last year would have us believe.
The Malaysian Happiness Index, the first of its kind for the nation of 33 million people, shows that we scored 6.48 out of a possible 10 in the index. That puts us in the “Happy” category.
The results of the survey were unveiled by chief statistician Uzir Mahidin on Friday.

The happiest among us all are those who live in Labuan. They scored 9.29, raising them to the “Very Happy” level. Of course we’re happy for them.
What makes them so happy is not stated in the report. Perhaps it’s because they are the furthest away from the madness of Putrajaya. The political shenanigans in the corridors of power would drive anyone to the point of frustration.
However, with the cost of basic necessities rising so sharply and incomes remaining stagnant, it is unfathomable how anyone could be walking around with a spring in his step.
Perhaps the survey failed to cover those in the B40 and M40 groups, those who are most severely affected by the mess the nation’s leaders have put us in. They probably fell through the cracks when the survey was conducted, like always.
At least those in the M40 can take a “downgrade” from, say, Jaya Grocer to Mydin instead when they go for their weekly grocery shopping. Where the B40 folks have always been is already rock bottom.
According to Uzir the study, conducted from September to November, 2021, covered 42,446 respondents, including foreigners who live and work in Malaysia. That would be barely 0.1% of the population.
How accurate that can be is anyone’s guess. There is no word on how wide the margin of error is.
The study is said to be based on the World Happiness Report and Human Development Index. The Malaysian index is based on 73 indicators grouped into 13 components: family, housing and environment, social participation, health, communication facilities, education, work life, income, public safety, use of time, religion and spirituality, culture as well as emotional experience.
The results of the study offer nuggets of information to think about. Women, it seems, are happier than men, but only marginally. They scored 6.49 against 6.46 for their menfolk.
Citizens, at 6.49, are also slightly happier than their non-citizen friends, who come in at 6.32 points.
Let not this study be used as an excuse by those who have been given the responsibility to steer this country out of the doldrums to not do anything.
That would make us all very unhappy. - FMT
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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