"The most crucial challenge that should become a common priority of all state institutions is to gain high public trust,” said President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during his speech at the Annual Session of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly on Aug. 16.

Indeed, in the current era where governments face diverse challenges — ranging from domestic issues such as poverty and inequality, to global challenges such as economic slowdown, environmental degradation and terrorism — governments need the trust and support of their people to address these concerns. “Public trust is the soul of all state institutions and gives them the energy to carry out their respective duties and functions,” emphasized the President.

Of course, trust is not something that can be built overnight. It requires time and consistency, or in the case of the government, concrete action, reliability, efficiency, responsiveness, integrity, equality, inclusiveness and accountability, until members of the public feel they can place their confidence in the government.

One key element that governments must exhibit when trying to maintain, gain or restore public trust, is openness. It is imperative the public can see for themselves what is happening within the government. Perception often creates reality, and providing the public with wide access to governmental proceedings, data and services, can bolster favorable perceptions.

The major political and financial turmoil that beset Indonesia in 1998 triggered reform and saw the beginning of a new journey toward democratization. The process was marked by decentralization of autonomy and administrative powers; free and fair presidential, regional and legislative elections; freedom of the press; the establishment of new political parties; and military reform.

Since then, the Indonesian government has worked tirelessly to continue the consolidation of democracy and the enhancement of good governance in Indonesia, through a vision of upholding the principles of democratic, clean and reliable governance.

This is the vision that underpinned Indonesia’s support for the establishment of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) — a multilateral initiative founded by Indonesia and seven other countries (Brazil, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States) aimed at enhancing government transparency and accountability, promoting citizen engagement, improving public service delivery and encouraging innovations to strengthen governance.

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