PETALING JAYA (June 12): Several public institutions recorded a high trust deficit under the previous administration, according to a survey commissioned by the Centre for a Better Tomorrow (Cenbet).

Only 29% of the respondents saw the former federal government as trustworthy, showing a trust deficit of 48%.

Local government authorities received a low trustworthiness score as well with the trust deficit at 38%, according to the findings of the nationwide online survey conducted with 1,000 respondents in February.

An overwhelming majority of the multi-ethnic group of respondents opined that the federal government needed serious reforms.

The findings of widespread disquiet with the then Barisan Nasional administration, and with politicians in general, corroborated with the results of May 9 general election, which saw the long-time ruling coalition suffered a shock defeat.

"There is an urgent need to address the mismatch between public expectation and delivery," Cenbet co-president Gan Ping Sieu told a press conference, citing low trust in local governments as an example.

He added, however, that the trust deficit in local governments creates a strong case for the government to bring back elections for local governments to narrow the trust deficit.

While the survey was conducted in February, prior to the general election, Gan said it could serve as a useful guide for the new Pakatan Harapan government to roll out its reforms.

He said Cenbet will present the detailed findings to the Committee on Institutional Reforms set up by the new government.