The new state budget<\/p>\n
Our impression is that the government is on the right track in
\nits efforts to fix the economy. Despite its shortcomings, the
\ndraft budget reflects the government's intention to provide more
\njobs, increase the public's purchasing power and dispose of
\nsubsidies that would be a burden. The budget also signals the
\ngovernment's design to provide support to the lower-to-middle
\nincome categories of the population, without creating asset
\nreallocation problems -- a subject that has become a most
\nsensitive political issue.<\/p>\n
Since 1993 the government has ceased to be the major moving
\nforce of the economy, due to a shortage of funds. Thus, the
\nprivate sector was encouraged to assume a greater role. So, we
\nunderstand why the government at one point decided to assume a
\nmerely facilitating role by creating a more conducive investment
\nclimate. The situation at present is different. The government
\ncannot do much to revive the economy, as the budget figures, at
\nleast, show. At the same time the private sector is in a state of
\nlethargy.<\/p>\n
The government at present does indeed need to send out
\npositive signals in every direction in order to repair
\nIndonesia's shattered image. The string of incidents that have
\noccurred since May this year has had a widespread effect and much
\ntime will be needed to repair the negative impact. The coming six
\nmonths will be a period filled with great uncertainty. The
\nnation's political agenda will become prominent, particularly
\nduring the run-up to the general election, when each of the
\npolitical parties will be vying with each other to bring about a
\n\"brand awareness\" in its favor among voters.<\/p>\n
We expect that during such a period, political assessments
\nwill be given of people-oriented economic policies. We hope that
\nin such a situation all parties concerned will be able to think
\nclearly and not indulge in serving their own self-interest. The
\nfate of the nation is at stake and if we do not manage to pull
\nourselves up, we will be in an even worse condition than the
\npresent as we enter the third millennium.<\/p>\n
As has been said before, the state budget has many
\nshortcomings and some even regard it as an effort to buy time.
\nHowever, we do not have many choices. So, all of us must strive
\nto amplify the positive impression that it creates.<\/p>\n
-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-new-state-budget-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }