Inconsistencies increase costs, says philosopher<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The inconsistencies of Indonesia's economic
\npolicies will have to be minimized if the country is to keep its
\neconomy on the right track, a leading philosopher said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a seminar, Franz Magnis-Suseno, a lecturer at the
\nDriyar Kara School of Theology, praised Indonesia's current
\neconomic policies for anticipating the changes of a more open
\nworld economy.<\/p>\n
However, German-born Magnis noted that policy inconsistencies
\nare obvious in the rampant cases of corruption and collusion
\nbetween officials and businesspeople.<\/p>\n
All of these practices, he said, are contributing to a high-
\ncost economy.<\/p>\n
"In the time of a global economy, ill practices like
\ncorruption, connections, collusion and the like will endanger the
\ncompetitiveness of our exports.<\/p>\n
"Imagine, some 30 percent to 40 percent (of production costs)
\nhave to go to such practices. That's dangerous," Magnis told the
\nseminar, organized by the Bali Post daily.<\/p>\n
High costs plague almost every sector of the economy, he said.
\nThe government's policy to reduce the consumption of alcoholic
\ndrinks, for instance, has been used by certain parties for their
\nown ends.<\/p>\n
"I like to drink beer. But the labeling? If every rupiah went
\nto the finance minister that would be okay. But it's not like
\nthat. And I question where the honor of the country is," Magnis
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He noted that such acts of rent-seeking are widening gaps
\nbetween the rich and the poor as well as between developed and
\nlesser developed areas.<\/p>\n
Magnis pointed out that the government is serious in wanting
\nto narrow the gaps but that its policies are struggling at the
\nimplementation level.<\/p>\n
"The government has tried hard to alleviate poverty, but again
\nthere are inconsistencies, something's interfering," Magnis
\nnoted. "Its like the country is being divided by a number of
\nindividuals for themselves."<\/p>\n
Magnis warned that the disparities must be corrected. If not,
\nhe said, a "time bomb" awaits the country, which is not based on
\nthe same ethnicity, religion or language, but on "promises,"
\nincluding the promise of a just society.<\/p>\n
"Primordialism and fundamentalism tend to be the result of
\nwidespread injustice," he said.<\/p>\n
He noted that the problems of the past, including the 1950s
\nand 1960s, were mostly created by unfulfilled "promises."<\/p>\n
"It is true that no justice is 100 percent. At the same time,
\nwe do not want a society which is clearly unjust or containing no
\njustice at all," Magnis said. (rid)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/inconsistencies-increase-costs-says-philosopher-1447893297",
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