However, respondents were also cautious about the country’s economic and security outlook.

The telephone survey, in the run-up to the 59th National Day celebrations on Wednesday, was conducted by a year-old private firm, KajiDATA Research, in which views were sought from 1,000 respondents.

A.Yazid Othman, business consultant with KajiDATA Research, said the survey was to gauge how far Malaysians were proud of their country, their immediate concerns and their knowledge on the independence figures and dates.

The survey was supervised by KajiDATA’s advisor Professor Syed Arabi Idid, who also prepared the questions.

The survey indicated the majority of Malaysians (77.2 per cent) knew who was Malaysia’s first leader – Tunku Abdul Rahman – and that independence was achieved in 1957 (84.3 per cent).

While Malaysians have great pride over their country, respondents in Kuala Lumpur and Kedah were not confident enough about the nation’s ability to pull through or face any challenges in the future.

A significant number of respondents throughout the country were concerned over national security and crime, with the fear over security being more obvious in Pahang and Sabah.

However, the concern over economy has far reaching implications on how Malaysians will be spending. In the next six months 71 per cent of the respondents will avoid traveling aboard, avoid purchasing new houses (81 per cent), avoid purchasing new cars (83 per cent), and even avoid starting or extending a family (76 per cent).

Due to their concern over the economy, many are concerned over employment availability and also will avoid changing professions (86 per cent).

However, the good thing is that many of the respondents (66.8 per cent) were confident in facing the future challenges.

Based on the survey, Syed Arabi concluded that though Malaysians were proud of their country, they have been realists as well. They know of the headwinds the country is facing and are prepared to face the challenges.