Computer problem may bring new crisis in the future: WB<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The so-called Year 2000 computer problem has the
\npotential to emerge as a serious crisis for Indonesia, even as
\nthe country might be on its way towards economic recovery, the
\nWorld Bank has said.<\/p>\n
In a statement released Tuesday it asserted that Indonesia had
\nto understand the problem and implement pre-emptive measures.<\/p>\n
\"This is more than a technical problem,\" said Ben Fisher,
\ndirector of operations at the World Bank's Jakarta office,
\npointing out that it could have very significant economic and
\nsocial consequences, and it was important that the Bank and the
\nIndonesian government worked out solutions with the team of
\ninternational experts gathered in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The bank and the government sponsored a two-day conference on
\nthe Year 2000 computer problem, ending on Tuesday in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Fisher explained that this problem could affect the future
\nhealth of the financial sector, which was currently undergoing
\nserious reforms and restructuring.<\/p>\n
Even the perception of a problem could be devastating, he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
\"In order to prevent panic, needless stockpiling and emptying
\nof bank accounts, we must be effective, and gain the public's
\nconfidence in addressing the Year 2000 computer problem,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"This is one of the biggest challenges of the information age
\nas we head toward the new millennium,\" said Minister of
\nCommunications Giri Suseno Hadihardjono in the statement.<\/p>\n
He thanked the World Bank for its proposed provision of grant
\nfunds to be used for developing a national Year 2000 computer
\nproblem plan, and noted that the lack of financial resources due
\nto the crisis was a major inhibitor to making further progress on
\nthe matter.<\/p>\n
The World Bank said in the statement that by sponsoring
\nconferences around the globe and sharing international best
\npractices with its client countries through its newly-created
\nInfoDev unit (Information for Development), the World Bank had
\nhighlighted the importance of the Year 2000 computer problem, but
\nurged that individual countries must recognize and take control
\nof the problem.<\/p>\n
Amid the financial crisis, Indonesia had shown its commitment
\nto tackling the Year 2000 computer problem, and should be able to
\nput systems in place now to avoid the potential crippling of the
\neconomy at the turn of the century, the Bank added.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia is currently working through the financial,
\neconomic, social, political, and other complex dimensions of the
\ncurrent crisis; the Year 2000 computer problem is one more
\nproblem. I'm confident that together we can find the best
\npossible solutions,\" Fisher said. (rei)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/computer-problem-may-bring-new-crisis-in-the-future-wb-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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