Appeal for unity

Appeal for unity

Since the transfer of the presidency from Soeharto to Habibie
and at the present under the administration of Abdurrahman Wahid,
the economic recovery of this republic has remained a big
question mark. The exchange rate of the rupiah to the U.S. dollar
does not come up to our expectations and foreign investors are
seemingly reluctant to invest their capital in Indonesia.
Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand at present are deemed as more
favorable countries for investment, because the stability of
politics and security in the three ASEAN countries are conducive
to foreign investment and therefore their economic growth is
amazing.

When severe economic turmoil hit Thailand in no time it
successfully overcame the recession. Indonesia, a big country
with a population of more than 200 million, a lot of natural
resources and a huge amount of potential resources, should have
made a quicker recovery than Thailand and South Korea.

In fact, until now our economy is still lying in a coma and
there are no signs that in the near future Indonesia will be able
to free itself from the clutches of economic turbulence.

The political leaders should stop their political conflicts
and switch the topic of their debates from political issues to
efforts to help the economy recover. Such a change of attitude
will place them closer to the people, and it will stimulate the
spirit and morale of the people in facing the existing crises
without differentiating between their respective political
backgrounds.

Most Indonesian people, particularly the common people, are
bored with the existing uncertain situation and they desire
economic recovery.

HASAN BASRI MUCHTAR

Jakarta