President to take charge of economy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Tuesday he
\nwould take a \"hands-on\" role in guiding the economy following
\nvarious hiccups in the government's economic team.<\/p>\n
\"In the past, I let the economy go naturally, but it can't be
\nlike that anymore and now there must be direct guidance from me
\nto keep the economic recovery on track,\" Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
The President will now chair weekly meetings of his economic
\nteam in a bid \"to find breakthroughs in economic policy\".<\/p>\n
But Abdurrahman was quick to add he had full faith in
\nCoordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik
\nKian Gie and his team.<\/p>\n
\"I have total trust in Kwik ... but basic economic policies
\nshould be solved by myself together with (Kwik and his team),\"
\nthe President remarked.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman dismissed suggestions he had not given sufficient
\npersonal attention to economic affairs.<\/p>\n
\"I'm always interested in policies, especially on the
\neconomy,\" Abdurrahman said. Nevertheless, he conceded the economy
\nwas not his top priority when he took office in October, with
\nsecurity being a more immediate concern.<\/p>\n
\"It was not the time yet ... investment in Indonesia is
\ndirectly related to the security situation, so I dealt with the
\nsecurity situation first.<\/p>\n
\"The fact that we're lagging behind in several things doesn't
\nmean we're against them, it's a matter of (overcoming) security
\nand political problems to carry out those things,\" the President
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Soon after Abdurrahman made this statement, the government's
\neconomic team received a further blow when Kwik had to be rushed
\nto the hospital.<\/p>\n
A sources close to the minister confirmed Kwik fell ill in his
\noffice on Tuesday evening and required medical attention.<\/p>\n
The source said Kwik appeared pale and blacked out during a
\nmeeting in his office. He was taken to the hospital and was
\nreleased after several hours.<\/p>\n
Kwik's condition was said to be normal, but he was ordered by
\ndoctors to rest.(dja\/byg\/prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/president-to-take-charge-of-economy-1447893297",
"image": ""
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