Economic and political crisis

Economic and political crisis

From Kompas

With each passing day, the economic difficulties that the Indonesian people have to deal with are getting bigger and bigger. In our social life, there is a bigger threat to security, thus causing restlessness among community members. As these two issues are getting more and more serious, politicians and political observers are indulging themselves deeper and deeper in debates on the mistakes committed by the old leaders, the present leaders and also on how this country pursues its politics.

Will the heated political debates ever end the deepening economic crisis? If in this reform era one political party finally rules the country, is it any guarantee at all that we shall get out of this crisis immediately? If we successfully investigate the assets of the Soeharto family, is there any guarantee that we can get rid of our economic problems?

In fact, the root cause is the pinch of the economic crisis. As an observer bent on practical thinking, I bet that we may lead a good life if our economic condition were not in turmoil. If the economic condition is restored speedily, our political condition and security will be back to normal. I think it is the economic condition that can determine the political situation, not the other way around. Efforts for economic recovery and restoration must be prioritized. All Indonesian leaders today must be given a chance to think calmly about how to bring about economic recovery and restoration.

RENDRA HERTIADHI

Jakarta