Confidence in govt low: Survey

JAKARTA (JP): Confidence in the current government, including in its economic and political efforts to bring the country out of its dire economic crisis, has not been restored, a survey says.

Indonesians view the government, the economy and the employment situation in the country in a negative light, the survey says.

The survey, conducted by Deka Marketing Research and covering 400 male and female respondents in Jakarta, said that 48 percent of Jakartans believed the government's performance was no better than that of its predecessor a year ago.

Only 20 percent of the respondents said the current government was an improvement on the last government.

The survey found that the lack of confidence in the government also lowered the public's expectations for the country's economy.

The survey says that 41 percent of the respondents believe the overall economy will worsen over the next six months. Only 24 percent believe it will improve.

The survey also says the public believes job opportunities are scarce.

Ninety-six percent of the respondents claim that finding a job is difficult and only 1 percent say job opportunities are plentiful.

Most respondents believe that improving the economy should have top priority, followed by stabilizing prices and improving the political climate.

Fighting corruption and restoring peace and order ranked lowest in priorities.

The survey was commissioned by Ellipse Public Relations as part of its marketing communications intelligence activity. (aly)