Poverty on the rise<\/p>\n
How much we are at present racing against time is illustrated
\nclearly by the problems which we are facing. A researcher at
\nGadjah Mada University's Center for Population Studies, Muhajir,
\npredicts that 130 million Indonesians will be living in poverty
\nby the end of next year. This is more than half the total number
\nof Indonesians. This explosion will be caused, among other
\nthings, by the lack of job opportunities and high inflation.
\nOther predictions are even more gloomy, especially when political
\naspects are taken into account.<\/p>\n
Our private sector cannot be counted on to help us surmount
\nthe problems we are currently facing. The government must assume
\nthe role of primary driving force by actively intervening in the
\nmonetary and banking as well as the real sectors. The government
\nwill have to make an effort to boost aggregate demand for goods
\nand services in order to steer the economy back to full
\nemployment conditions.<\/p>\n
Aside from this Keynesian recipe, another suggestion offered
\nis that the government put the priority on promoting domestic
\ndemand, since the still-weak traditional market is not likely to
\nbe able to absorb our export products. Then, too, competition
\nfrom other countries which, like ourselves, are striving to take
\nadvantage of the low exchange rate, will be fierce.<\/p>\n
Whichever scenario is followed, the government will have to
\nassume the dominant part. Unfortunately, it cannot play that role
\nto the full as long as it is being shaken to its core.<\/p>\n
-- Bisnis Indonesia<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/poverty-on-the-rise-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }