A 'we can' attitude<\/p>\n
Ever since I came to Indonesia, I have seen a tremendous
\namount of optimism and growth in almost all sectors of the
\neconomy, whether in infrastructure projects or in private sector
\nprojects. It seemed that an industrialist could do and build
\nalmost anything he or she wanted. The moral support extended by
\nthe government to industry has been very strong compared to other
\ngovernments throughout the world. I would credit this to the
\noptimism and positive outlook on the part of the nation's leaders
\nwho have shown a Kami bisa (we can) attitude -- an ability to
\nlook into the future and march on with confidence.<\/p>\n
In the past few months, we have all been witnessing a dramatic
\nfall in the currencies of almost all the region's countries. The
\nfall of the Indonesian rupiah has been even more drastic in the
\nlast few weeks. The fact that a country with such a positive
\noutlook could be shaken with baseless rumors is absolutely
\noutrageous. The crisis, I believe, is more due to the fickle
\nminds of so-called investors.<\/p>\n
All the Southeast Asian countries have been in such a strong
\nphase of progress and development that the whole world looked up
\nto them as places where a lot of money could be made. They came
\nrushing in when the sun shined. These same \"investors\" did not
\neven bat an eyelid while they pulled out their money when the
\ngoing got rough. Can we really call such people investors? Is
\nthis the confidence they have while making investments in such a
\nvast country? To me they should be termed, at the least, as only
\nprofiteers and not investors. Such people should not be allowed
\nto enter the markets at all.<\/p>\n
We have been learning that a small group of people, sitting in
\nsome foreign land, have been behind all this. I wonder whether
\nthey have even thought of all the consequences of their actions.
\nFor a small short-term gain, they have brought such buoyant
\neconomies to the verge of collapse. God forbid, what would happen
\nif, due to the burden of the rupiah's depreciation, companies
\nthat provide employment to millions of people start going
\nbankrupt? One dreads to even imagine the locks hanging on the
\ndoors of factories that once used to be some of the most
\nefficient and profitable in the world. The people responsible for
\nthis are the same people who advocate \"free trade\" and open
\nborders. Is this why their free trade is required -- so that one
\ncan loot the country and make a run for it?<\/p>\n
It is really tragic that such a thing happens in countries
\nthat are still developing. These countries need a tremendous
\namount of support from their fellow citizens of the world. These
\nkinds of crises will only set back the clock and put the
\neconomies very much back in time. I am sure that, at such a time,
\nnone of the so-called investors will be back to lend a helping
\nhand. They will be busy ruining some other country.<\/p>\n
The real investors are those who stay with the country in
\ntimes of crises -- a friend who helps in times of need is a
\nfriend indeed.<\/p>\n
Even with all the crises, one has a feeling of quaint optimism
\nthat all will be well soon. This is probably due to confidence in
\nthe same positive outlook that has earlier fostered rapid growth.
\nThe 'kami bisa' attitude is probably what will make the economies
\nbounce back even more ferociously when they start reaping the
\nadvantages of a depreciated currency. It would be then that they
\npay back in the same coin the people who plotted their ruin. May
\nGod bless this beautiful country and region and its people.<\/p>\n
S. AGRAWAL<\/p>\n
Karawang, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-we-can-attitude-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }