KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 5 -- Sixty per cent of Malaysian respondents in an Ipsos survey consider inequality an important problem, higher than the global average. Yet most still believe that hard work and merit pay off, with only a fifth viewing structural barriers as an obstacle to equality.

The survey on Malaysians' attitudes towards inequality found that six in ten see it as one of the most pressing national issues, while nearly half believe more must be done to promote equality, echoing the global call for stronger action.

"Across 31 countries, half of people identify inequality as one of the most important problems facing their society," said Arun Menon, managing director of Ipsos Malaysia.

"Malaysia is no exception, with six in 10 ide...