JAKARTA - Senior political analyst Boni Hargens questions the validity of the Police Corruption Perceptions Index released by IndexMundi Global Surveys. According to him, the survey results cannot be used as the only reference to assess the performance and level of integrity of the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia (Polri).
In the survey, the National Police obtained a public perception score of 7.56 on a scale of 0 to 10, where a higher score indicates a greater perception of corruption in the police institution.
IndexMundi explained that the index measures public perceptions of the level of corruption in the police, not the number of corruption cases that have been proven legally. The assessment is based on public perceptions, public experience, exposure to news coverage, and the level of trust in law enforcement institutions in each country.
Boni assessed that the main weakness of the survey lies in the fact that the research methodology was not published publicly.
"The lack of clarity in the methodology makes it difficult for readers to assess the weight of empiricism of the study," said Boni in a written statement received by the editorial board, Monday, July 6.
The Director of the Indonesian Electoral Institute (LPI) said that the transparency of the methodology is a basic requirement for a survey to be scientifically accountable. According to him, the public needs to know how the sample is determined, the number of respondents, the scope of the research area, to the data verification mechanism used.
"Without transparency regarding the method of sampling, the number of respondents, geographical distribution, and data verification mechanisms, the perception survey cannot be used as a strong scientific reference," he said.
Boni reminded that perception-based surveys are basically influenced by various factors outside of objective conditions, such as the intensity of media coverage, the personal experience of respondents, and the level of public trust in public institutions.
Therefore, he invited the public to have adequate data literacy in responding to international survey results, especially those related to strategic state institutions.
"The public does not need to rush to accept the results of the survey as absolute truth, but also does not need to reject it reactively. What is needed is a critical and proportional study," he said.
Boni also touched on global geopolitical dynamics which he considered to be colored by the increasing information war and war of influence between countries. In this context, he assessed that various information, including the results of international surveys, needed to be carefully observed.
However, Boni emphasized that he did not conclude that there was a certain motive behind the publication of the survey.
According to Boni, the evaluation of the National Police should be carried out comprehensively using various indicators, not just relying on one index of perception.
He assessed that the institutional transformation carried out by the National Police under the leadership of National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo had received appreciation from a number of institutions, both at home and abroad.
Boni emphasized that institutional reform of the police is a long-term process that cannot be measured only through one perception survey.
"Organizational cultural change, improvement of recruitment systems, budget transparency, to strengthening community complaint mechanisms are processes that require thorough and continuous evaluation," he said.
He added that public trust is an important asset that must continue to be maintained through consistent reforms.
"However, public confidence in the police institution is an invaluable state asset. Building trust requires consistency, transparency, and the courage to continue to improve, far beyond any survey," said Boni.
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