Harmoko tells nation not to forget old spirit<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Harmoko urged the nation yesterday
\nto regain its old fighting spirit to survive future challenges
\nstemming from the current economic situation.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a plenary House of Representatives session for the
\npresentation of the 1998\/1999 planned state budget, Harmoko said
\nIndonesia had proven it could overcome tough tests in the past
\nand it could do so again.<\/p>\n
\"History tells us that Indonesia is a nation with resilience
\nto pass tough tests, tribulations and suffering,\" Harmoko said
\nlast night.<\/p>\n
\"Let's maintain our guarded optimism despite difficulties in
\nthe near future. We should never lose confidence that we can
\novercome the adversities,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Harmoko's speech also marked the resumption of the House
\nsitting after a recess since Dec. 18.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto unveiled the planned state budget worth Rp
\n133.49 trillion, a 23 percent increase from the previous budget.<\/p>\n
The government will now seek the House's approval before the
\nstate budget comes into effect on March 1.<\/p>\n
Vice President Try Sutrisno, his wife Tuti, cabinet ministers,
\ntop-ranking government officials and foreign diplomats attended
\nthe speech.<\/p>\n
Last night's session, which began at 8:15 p.m., was the first
\nto be held in the evening. The unprecedented evening session was
\ndue to the Ramadhan fasting month.<\/p>\n
In his address, Harmoko said Indonesia was taking on a new
\ntest in the form of escalating economic turmoil which has also
\naffected other Asian countries, but predicted that the country
\nwill survive.<\/p>\n
\"If we combine our persistence with the spirit of unity,
\nsolidarity and nationalism, we can cope with the present
\nchallenges. That was what we did when we were in trouble in the
\npast, and we made it,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the nation would even perform better than last year.<\/p>\n
But he warned that the monetary turmoil would trigger new
\nproblems, including social unrest as a result of massive layoffs
\nprompted by companies severely affected by the crisis.<\/p>\n
\"The time has come for us to promote social solidarity and
\npatriotism... to join hand in hand to escape this suffering,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said perseverance and composure amid the mounting crisis
\nwould also help the general session of the People's Consultative
\nAssembly in March run safely.<\/p>\n
The upcoming fiscal year will be the last stage of the current
\nSixth Five-Year Development Plan.<\/p>\n
Harmoko said this year's state budget should be realistic,
\ngiven the country must pay its soaring foreign debts due to the
\nrising appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the rupiah.<\/p>\n
He urged the government to continue its monetary and banking
\nreforms prudently and reminded officials to be disciplined in
\ncarrying out the budget. (amd)<\/p>",
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