Malaysia scores another brownie point, ranks 7th trusted nation in latest Edelman survey

 

MALAYSIA recently scored 68 in the Edelman Trust Barometer based on a survey of over 32,000 respondents from 28 different countries, which is a momentous achievement for the country where trust has become scarce.

Trust has become scarce virtue in this materialistic world which is quickly diminishing. In today’s world, factors such as polarisation, misinformation, scandals, economic instability, and inequality have all contributed to a deterioration in people’s trust in institutions like government and media.

But for some countries, trust is slowly returning and during the pandemic, trust in politicians was particularly shaky, with 63% of respondents of an Ipsos survey finding politicians untrustworthy.

Globally, trust in institutions increased by one percentage point from 55 to 56 since last year. With an average Trust Index of 63, developing countries are far more trusting of institutions than developed countries, who have an average of 49.

Edelman Trust Index is a respected tool for understanding global trust trends, it should be interpreted alongside other sources and within the context of its methodology and potential limitations.

The 2024 Edelman Barometer is considered a reliable source of insights into public trust across various institutions, including business, government, NGOs, and media.

Edelman has been conducting this research for over 20 years, which adds to its credibility. The index uses comprehensive survey methods and data analysis to gauge public opinion on trust-related issues worldwide.

This year’s findings indicate significant concerns about innovation management, with many respondents feeling that innovation is progressing too quickly and not necessarily benefiting them.

Trust in traditional institutions continues to wane, while peer trust and trust in employers remain relatively high. Business, particularly when partnering with government, is seen as the most trusted entity to manage innovation responsibly.

However, there are also criticisms. Some argue that the Trust Barometer might reflect biases inherent in its survey sample or methodology. Additionally, the increasing complexity of trust dynamics in a polarized world could challenge the accuracy of some insights.

In the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, Malaysia ranks as the seventh most trusting nation out of 28 countries surveyed, showing a significant rise from ninth place the previous year. The country’s overall trust score increased by six points to 68% reflecting a notable improvement in public confidence across various institutions, including business, government, NGOs, and media.

Malaysians show the highest level of trust in businesses at 74%, followed by NGOs at 70%, the government at 67%, and the media at 60%.

This increase in trust is attributed to the public’s growing optimism in the country’s governance and institutional frameworks under the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Despite the positive trends, economic concerns remain significant, with slow economic growth, societal divisions, and misinformation being top worries for Malaysians.

Additionally, a high percentage of employed Malaysians fear job loss, and many express concerns about climate change and information warfare. – Focus Malaysia