Solving monetary crisis<\/p>\n
Since mid-July 1997 our beloved country has been undergoing a
\nmonetary crisis. This crisis, which has come after a number of
\ndisasters, natural or otherwise, such as forest fires, air, sea
\nand land transportation accidents, drought and starvation (in
\nsome parts of Indonesia), has as its immediate impact the closing
\nand bankruptcy of companies with the result that thousands (or,
\nperhaps, millions) of our fellow countrymen have to be laid off.<\/p>\n
I am simply an ordinary citizen wishing to call on all layers
\nof the community -- the haves, the executives, the middle class
\nand people of other social levels -- to think more rationally and
\nact with greater sympathy for our fellow countrymen now in the
\nthroes of a great ordeal (if not a catastrophe).<\/p>\n
We must not rush to purchase U.S. dollars. Have respect for
\nour own currency (again, hats off to a number of articles by Kwik
\nKian Gie in Kompas and the Post).<\/p>\n
It is also my hope that government officials or community
\nfigures that command respect and have authority immediately come
\nforward. I hope that at least one of them will go to a money
\nchanger to exchange their dollars for rupiah.<\/p>\n
I believe that the community will take this as an example and
\nwill not just follow others in buying dollars in great amounts
\nwithout being certain about what the profit will be.<\/p>\n
Government officials and community leaders must not hesitate
\nor feel shy in this respect. If just one of them volunteers to do
\nso, the community will raise their thumbs. Aren't we used to
\nseeing government officials or community figures give examples
\nsymbolically?<\/p>\n
Malaysia has issued a sort of a policy package which includes
\na cut in the salaries of its ministers. South Koreans happily
\nsell their gold jewelry to help the government cope with the
\nmonetary crisis. In Thailand, Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has
\ntabled for ratification an anticorruption bill, which is expected
\nto cut the chain of collusion between government officials and
\nbusinesspeople by means of introducing fixed bidding prices for
\ngovernment projects.<\/p>\n
What about Indonesia? The Indonesian people are called upon to
\ntighten their belts, the meaning of which is still unclear. Some
\npeople have for years tightened their belts, some very tightly.
\nOnly a certain group of people may not be affected by the present
\neconomic woes.<\/p>\n
Let us all unite to help our country get out of the present
\neconomic difficulty and prevent its condition from worsening.<\/p>\n
INDIRA CESTRA<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/solving-monetary-crisis-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }