'We've been tricked into plunging into debt'<\/p>\n
The Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) starts its two-day
\nmeeting on Wednesday to decide on a new loan commitment to help
\nfinance Indonesia's 2004 state budget. The country is now
\namortizing and paying interest on its US$77 billion foreign debt.
\nThe Jakarta Post asked some people what they thought about the
\ncountry's huge debt.<\/p>\n
Susi, 31, is a housewife whose semi-permanent home in Kapuk
\nMuara, North Jakarta, burned down last Sunday:<\/p>\n
I don't have time to think about foreign debt or government
\naffairs; I have my own problems. We are now homeless.<\/p>\n
The development funded by the government, or by foreign debt,
\nhas only made the rich richer and the poor stay poor.<\/p>\n
But I will be glad if foreign debt is used for financing low-
\ncost housing for which we can pay in installments via BTN (a
\nstate bank that usually channels loans for low-cost housing).<\/p>\n
Jelita, 10, is a sixth-year elementary school student. She
\nlives with her parents in Cipinang, East Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I know that Indonesia is in debt. We got into debt because we
\nwere tricked by organizations that lent us the money, such as the
\nIMF (International Monetary Fund) and so on.<\/p>\n
CGI? Never heard of it.<\/p>\n
I know we owe other countries billions of dollars -- I think
\nabout three billion to five billion dollars. We pay them back in
\ncash, but more often with commodities like food and other
\nmaterials.<\/p>\n
I wonder when we're going to finish repaying all our debts?
\n2007? Maybe even after that.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/weve-been-tricked-into-plunging-into-debt-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }