A nation behind closed doors - Synovate study shows our homes are our fortresses
14 November 2005
KUALA LUMPUR — Three quarters of urban Malaysians live behind greater security than a front door says Global research company, Synovate, which released results of a study on home security.
Steve Murphy, Managing Director of Synovate Malaysia, in a statement today said that the survey showed the majority of Malaysians in major cities have obstacles like gates, doors or barriers before their front door could be reached - with the higher income groups generally having more security measures.
"Malaysia is now a security-conscious society. It's now normal to live with barriers, security guards, dogs, closed circuit television and other security measures.
"Our homes really are our fortresses and - unless you are resident - it's hard to get to most front doors. Gone are the days of being able to pop in unannounced," he said.
Mr Murphy said looking at how Malaysians live has shown security-consciousness across all ethnic and social groups in the key urban centres, although it is even more prevalent as income levels rise.
"Our survey looked at urban Malaysians in Kuala Lumpur / Petaling Jaya, Penang, Johor Bahru and Ipoh.
"We found that 18% of Malaysians now have a guard, watchman or security person on duty where they live - especially in condominiums and serviced apartments - and 24% have other security measures like dogs, closed circuit television, alarm systems, fences and so on. It would not be an easy life to sell from door-to-door!" he said.
The Synovate home security study found that 60% of the respondents are living in either condominiums, semi-detached housing or terraced houses that are the most likely to have a barrier before their front door can be reached. The number gets even higher amongst residents of Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh - with 80% and 88% having a barrier respectively - as well as in Chinese (82%) and higher income households (84% of households with an income of more than 4,000 Ringgit a month have an extra barrier).
The survey was conducted in September 2005 via AsiaBUS, Synovate's monthly omnibus survey, in Kuala Lumpur / Petaling Jaya, Penang, Johor Bahru and Ipoh. The interviews were conducted by telephone in order to reach a representative sample of respondents in these urban areas.
Mr Murphy added, "As we can no longer get to many front doors, telephone is the most reliable way to speak with urban Malaysians - particularly the majority who are in the broad middle classes or above."
Contact(s) for this press release
|
Fulya Fraser
Marketing Consultant, Synovate Malaysia Telephone: +603 2282 2244 Send an email |
|
|
|
|
|
Hanizah Hashim
Prestige Communications Sdn Bhd On behalf of: Synovate Sdn Bhd Telephone: +60 3 2095 4433 |
|
|
|
|
Synovate, the market research arm of Aegis Group plc, generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions. The network provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive suite of research solutions. Synovate employs over 6,000 staff across 62 countries.
For more information on Synovate visit www.synovate.com.