Gus Dur says IMF playing into his enemies' hands<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (Agencies): Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid has
\nclaimed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is bolstering
\nhis enemies by delaying its latest aid tranche, according to
\nlocal media.<\/p>\n
The IMF was playing into his adversaries' hands by criticizing
\nhis administration, Abdurrahman told the Bangkok Post in comments
\nreported Sunday.<\/p>\n
\"The IMF must learn the art of compromise... The IMF must
\nunderstand me,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The organization, for example, should realize that it is
\npolitically prudent for the Indonesian government to continue
\nsubsidizing farmers for at least three years, Wahid said.<\/p>\n
It must also appreciate that certain political factors will
\ntake time for Jakarta to control, Wahid said, alluding to recent
\nseparatist activity throughout the archipelago, such as in Aceh.<\/p>\n
For its part, Indonesia will try to \"meet the IMF
\nstipulations,\" the President said.<\/p>\n
IMF officials are reported to be frustrated with and critical
\nof the current political instability and Wahid's handling of the
\neconomy.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week Indonesia's coordinating minister for the
\neconomy confirmed that the IMF had delayed the scheduled December
\ndisbursement of a US$400 million loan to Jakarta.<\/p>\n
According to Jakarta media reports, Indonesia has failed to
\nfulfill a number of key reform commitments on deadline, prompting
\nthe fund to postpone this month's loan disbursement, part of a
\nfive billion dollar loan package, until February or March.<\/p>\n
But Indonesian officials have stressed that the delay is for
\npurely technical reasons related to \"scheduling\" and is not
\nJakarta's fault.<\/p>\n
The IMF came to Indonesia's rescue when the regional financial
\ncrisis hit the country in 1997. However, the bailout is subject
\nto Indonesia's economic reform.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman visited Bangkok on Dec. 14 and 15 to receive an
\nhonorary doctorate in philosophy from the Asian Institute of
\nTechnology, a university in the Thai capital.<\/p>\n
Singapore<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman also said he had spoken to Singapore Senior
\nMinister Lew Kuan Yew about stopping commercial banks in the
\nisland state speculating in the beleaguered rupiah.<\/p>\n
But Lee told him the central bank had no authority over
\ncommercial banks in this area, the Bangkok Post further reported.<\/p>\n
\"When I said to him (Lee) that the central bank of Singapore
\nshould advise commercial banks to stop dealing in rupiah, he said
\nthe Singapore central bank had no authority over commercial
\nbanks.<\/p>\n
\"In a way, he said that the government of Singapore will not
\ndo anything to stop this kind of speculation.\"<\/p>\n
The Indonesian President did not elaborate or say when his
\nconversation with the senior minister took place and Lee's office
\nin Singapore could not immediately be contacted.<\/p>\n
The beleaguered rupiah has been hit hard by political and
\neconomic worries. The currency was last quoted at Rp 9,340 to the
\ndollar on Friday.<\/p>\n
His comments came barely three weeks after he accused
\nneighboring Singapore of taking advantage of Indonesia's woes and
\ncaring only about profits, and that the largely Chinese island
\nstate was anti-Malay.<\/p>\n
Since then ministers from both sides have tried to downplay
\nthe impact of Wahid's remarks on bilateral ties.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, noted for his confusing and often bizarre
\ncomments, also repeated a suggestion he made at the ASEAN summit
\nin Singapore last month that East Timor should be brought into
\nthe regional grouping, a move which he said Lee disagreed with.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian leader said the main purpose of the Association
\nof South East Asian Nations was to show solidarity and to help
\npoorer members.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman had also called for Papua New Guinea to be allowed
\nto join the Southeast Asian grouping.<\/p>",
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