Anti-Western protests causing new crisis<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said on Wednesday that protests
\nand threats against Westerners had prompted unprecedented numbers
\nof business travelers and holiday-makers to spend their tourist
\ndollars somewhere other than Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Akbar pointed out that a gloomy future in the tourism sector
\nwas imminent and that the government's target of 5.4 million
\nvisitors this year will not be achieved.<\/p>\n
The recent waves of anti-Western street protests have forced
\n30 percent of the tourists who had already formally booked
\nIndonesian trips to cancel their visit, he said.<\/p>\n
"As a result, the government will lose about US$2 billion in
\npotential revenues from the tourism sector alone," Akbar said in
\nresponse to data from tourist agencies which does not consider
\nthe number of would-be travelers without reservations.<\/p>\n
Anti-Western demonstrations and ethnic "sweeping" threats have
\nsubsided over the past week as many leaders including Vice
\nPresident Hamzah Haz have repeatedly called on hardline Muslim
\ngroups to halt their destructive actions and to create a
\nconducive atmosphere for the economy to recover.<\/p>\n
Hamzah said that the drop in capital flows to Indonesia and
\nthe slowing economic activity in general would definitely impede
\neconomic recovery.<\/p>\n
"The pressure (on the economy) will become even greater
\nbecause the global economy is also suffering a recession," Akbar
\nsaid after officially closing the House of Representatives'
\nannual session.<\/p>\n
Over the past three months, the House passed four bills into
\nlaw for Papuan Special Autonomy, the state budget, an oil and gas
\nlaw and an amendment to the anti-corruption law.<\/p>\n
In addition, the House also passed its Internal Code of Ethics
\nand Regulations, which is expected to improve its performance and
\nimage.<\/p>\n
Akbar also raised concerns about the unchecked trafficking of
\nwomen and children, which he said was a result of the rising rate
\nof unemployment since the economic crisis began in 1997.<\/p>\n
The thriving flesh trade, Akbar said, was only the tip of the
\niceberg in the social crisis arising from prolonged economic
\nhardship.<\/p>\n
"Our direct observation is that the House needs to push for
\nIndonesia to ratify the 1949 UN Convention on Trafficking of
\nWomen and make our own laws banning trafficking of women and
\nchildren," he said.<\/p>\n
Akbar also promised to make a law which provides legal
\nprotection for Indonesians working overseas, which has become a
\nnational concern.<\/p>\n
"Many Indonesians working overseas report mistreatment and
\nIndonesia cannot do anything to protect them," he said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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