Indonesia Is Outpacing the World in Trust

Amid hoax scare and political noise which have been occupying Indonesians’ recent everyday life, an optimistic and scientific view arise showing that Indonesia is outpacing the world in trust. This data comes from Edelman 2017 Trust Barometer survey which sees the Index being announced for the 17^th year, since it started in 2001. While the main finding of the survey show that there is a global decline, and perhaps even crisis of trust in 28 countries they surveyed, the data shows Indonesia becoming the anomaly as it sees high improvement of trust toward Government, media, business, and NGOs.

In the word of Edelman Indonesia CEO himself, Raymond Siva, Indonesia 2017 Trust Barometer result is an “enigma”. As while Global Trust Index declined by three percent, Indonesia saw a seven percent increase in average trust compared to 2016. Looking that number by the sector, there is 13 percent increase of trust towards the Government, which is the highest performance in the Index, putting Indonesia at the fourth place with the score of 71. Trust in media sees a four percent increase, again the highest performance in the Index, putting Indonesia at number one with the score of 67. Trust in NGOs sees a seven percent increase, only tied by India, putting Indonesia at number three with the score of 64. Lastly, trust in business sees a five percent increase, again only equalled by India, putting Indonesia at number one with the score of 76.

Overall, Indonesia is confidently ranked number two in this Global Trust Index with the score of 69. Well high above the global average of 47, or what Edelman dubbed a crisis of trust in the world. To put things into context, Indonesia’s neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia see a declining in this Trust index. As well as the decline of trust in the “big dogs” country such as USA and China.

Equally interesting subject is the analysis of why Indonesia has been able to outpace the world in trust. Although Edelman survey does not discuss the antecedents, the fact remains that Government, media, business, and NGOs in Indonesia are doing something right in their communication and stakeholder engagement to be able to produce such high level of trust, when the world by many seem so bleak.

Edelman Indonesia did imply one of the possible reasons of increasing trust towards Indonesian Government. Specifically, he said that many Indonesians are embracing the messages of Unity in Diversity and Equality (pemerataan) put out by President Joko Widodo ( http://www.edelman.com/post/the-enigma-of-indonesia/ ),

President Joko Widodo himself in the last few years have been using the narrative “Indonesia Centric” when describing this government development paradigm. Those familiar with Indonesian history would recall that for long there has been a critique that Indonesian development is too Java Centric. Where physical and social infrastructures in the past seemed to be more developed in Java, while other parts in Indonesia seem to be neglected. In result, widening gap of economy and social life became more apparent in Indonesia during the old regime.

With “Indonesia Centric” as one of the core ideas of Indonesian Government, we are seeing an increase of development outside of Java, in the form of roads, airports, rail track, sea ports, power plants, and others. While in the social infrastructure, Indonesian Government have been pushing aggressively and ambitiously for the distribution of National Healthcare Service (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional) through Health BPJS and educational assistance for children all over Indonesia through Smart Indonesia Card (Kartu Indonesia Pintar). Various other incentives have also been put in place to get the economy going and opening more job opportunities. Worth to note that recent figure shows Indonesia’s unemployment rate has declined to 5.5 percent (7.02 million people), which the Government said is the lowest point since 1998.

For the trust level that Indonesian respondents have towards media, the high score of 67 should be a breath of fresh air amid all the recent criticism which media industry having to withstand. As we have seen increasing demand for media to be held responsible for the information they put out. Since those in the industry are familiar that news angle can turn the world upside down. Media can also hope that recently launched government regulation to verify media with QR code will further boost media credibility and enhance people’s trust towards them. However, in this age of “Alternative Facts” and social media, such good score should not make Indonesian media complacent. Instead they should be more driven to innovate. Especially since Trust Barometer data shows that there is a change in terms of spokesperson being perceived as credible by respondents. This year’s data shows that peers are on equal terms with experts in terms of credibility or perhaps believability. We shall see whether media will translate this into action by quoting more peers equal with quoting experts. Also since credibility of CEOs have declined six points, way behind peers and experts.

While it may be more difficult to analyse the reasons why trust toward business and NGOS have also improved, it should be noted that Indonesian respondents seem to have more of an optimistic view in those two institutions compared to the world. Looking at the question methodology, the score imply that Indonesian respondents have high hopes that business, NGOs, media, and Government would do the right thing for them. In hindsight, this looks ideal but can also be problematic as further data on populist issue shows respondents leaning more towards protectionism and slower growth in exchange for personal gains. In a dynamic economic world, such choices can have both direct and indirect impacts toward general prosperity. Also in politics, these populist issues put politicians and Government in a tight spot in maintaining balance between fulfilling demand while at the same time maintain the journey on the right but can be bitter path for the better of all.

All in all, it will be very interesting to see opposition’s critique toward the 2017 Edelman Indonesia Trust Barometer result. As we have seen an increase of polarity in political and social opinions, especially in social media. Additionally, we might also see debate whether these macro number would be counter with micro examples to emphasize the opposition’s point of there is a decline of trust toward Government and media specifically. But for now, the data remains showing Indonesia, the largest economy in South East Asia, is outpacing the world in trust.