Trust Barometer survey shows increasing trust in M'sian institutions in managing pandemic

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer indicates that trust in all Malaysian institutions, including government, business, media, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), has increased as a result of assertive action in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement on Friday (May 7), Edelman said Malaysia achieved an average Trust Index score of 66 points, six more than last year, and climbed two spots to seventh position on the Global Trust Index ranking.

The 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer is the firm’s 21st annual trust and credibility survey.

The survey was powered by research firm Edelman Data & Intelligence and consisted of 30-minute online interviews conducted between Oct 19 and Nov 18 last year.

Malaysia’s Trust Index was higher than the Asia Pacific (62 points) and global (56 points) averages in managing the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic challenge.

Nonetheless, the survey noted that trust is built on fragile foundations, as escalating pandemic fears have created a dramatic increase in the urgency for these institutions to find solutions for critical societal problems.

Improving the healthcare system has become more important, along with addressing poverty and improving the education system.

This suggests that most foundational building blocks of society need a reset, it said.

For more information, visit https://www.edelman.com/trust-barometer.