Do not stop with dollars

From Neraca

The "Love rupiah" campaign has become a trend setter. Within one week after Mrs. Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana exchanged dollars for rupiah, government officials, business tycoons and the rich in general have gone to the banks to follow suit.

As if by silent invitation to other dollar owners to do the same, they seem to show off when holding their "I love rupiah" stickers in front of cameras. The question is, are they serious? Is it a subterfuge? After more people have exchanged their dollars, will they hunt for dollars again? Why have they started this campaign only now after conditions have turned so critical?

If we say we love the rupiah, we should also do anything to make the currency strong again. If there are signs of the rupiah losing ground to other currencies, we should try to strengthen it.

The current concern for the rupiah by dollar owners more or less reflects their love for the rupiah, though it is rather late. They should have taken action when there were signs of the rupiah "losing the battle" so that the defeat would not be as total as it is now.

If we really love the rupiah, we should not stop at exchanging our dollars. Efforts shown by people in South Korea and Thailand, such as surrendering their gold and jewels to the state, should be imitated here because they have proven effective.

KRISTI

Jakarta