Transparency needed to boost public trust<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A political analyst has urged the government to
\nbe more open in explaining all aspects of its economic reform
\npackage, to avoid public speculations.<\/p>\n
Amien Rais, of the University of Gadjah Mada, said here over
\nthe weekend that transparency will also strengthen public trust
\ntowards the government's reform package sponsored by the
\nInternational Monetary Fund.<\/p>\n
\"The lack of government transparency (in informing about
\nvarious banks' condition) provoked a rush on Bank Central Asia
\n(BCA),\" Amien said after speaking at the launch of a book,
\nIndonesia-Timur Tengah: Masalah dan Prospek (Indonesia-Middle
\nEast: Problems and Prospects).<\/p>\n
The rush of depositors withdrawing their funds from BCA
\nbranches in several major cities on Friday was sparked by rumors
\nthat BCA was closing its office in Singapore and that Liem Sioe
\nLiong, founder of Salim Group, had died.<\/p>\n
Jitters over BCA came just a fortnight after the government
\nclosed 16 ailing banks.<\/p>\n
\"So, right now, the government is challenged by objective
\nconditions to be more open and transparent. Transparency will
\nrevive public trust,\" said Amien, who chairs the 28-million
\nstrong Moslem organization Muhammdiyah.<\/p>\n
He said the core of good governance is public trust, and if
\nthe public fails to trust the government, then its legitimacy
\nwould also be questioned.<\/p>\n
He said the government must clearly inform the people on the
\nnational economic outlook, no matter how bleak it may be.<\/p>\n
\"If the government fails to inform the people on the 'real'
\neconomic situation, we will all suffer the consequences,\" he
\nwarned.<\/p>\n
Television<\/p>\n
In line with the spirit of greater transparency, Amien urged
\nthe government to allow private television stations to broadcast
\nlive tomorrow's hearing of the House of Representatives'
\nCommission VIII for state budget and finance with Minister of
\nFinance Mar'ie Muhammad.<\/p>\n
\"The hearing must be broadcast by TV stations. The government
\nshould not cover things up, so the public will be well-informed,\"
\nAmien said.<\/p>\n
A planned live broadcast from the House of Mar'ie's
\nexplanation last week on the economic reform package was abruptly
\ncanceled after the government intervened.<\/p>\n
Minister of Information R. Hartono said at the time that the
\ndecision to ban the broadcast was made in accordance with the
\nnewly adopted broadcasting law.<\/p>\n
However, the broadcasting law does not clearly specify
\nprocedures for private television stations intending to make live
\nbroadcasts from the House.<\/p>\n
When asked to comment if the current economic crisis could
\nlead to a political crisis, Amien said that in the modern era,
\npolitics and economics are like \"two sides of the same coin\".<\/p>\n
\"The spillover effect is possible.\"<\/p>\n
Amien lamented the sluggish pace to seize Hendra Rahardja,
\nowner of two of the liquidated banks, Bank Harapan Sentosa and
\nBank Guna Internasional, who was abroad when the liquidation
\nannouncement was made.<\/p>\n
National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo said that the police
\nhave not received any orders to detain Hendra.<\/p>\n
\"Up till now, there has not been any accusation filed with the
\npolice. If there is one, we will arrest him,\" Dibyo was quoted
\nSaturday by Antara. (10)<\/p>",
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