Economic resurrection depends on unity

On the occasion of a meeting of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) during which a new Kadin chairman was appointed, this daily wants to reaffirm that our success in bringing Indonesia out of the economic crisis depends on the business sector's seriousness in doing its best, including the creation of job vacancies for unemployed people trapped in poverty.

It is undeniable that the business sector plays an important role in building democracy in Indonesia.

We are not satisfied with efforts made by the Indonesian business sector, as a "vested-interest" economy continues to dominate it.

We know that a vested-interest economy is prone to corruption as it does not rely on special skills or know-how but merely an ability to lobby certain figures. Experience has taught us that in the long run a vested-interest economy will simply result in a high-cost economy.

We thus hope that Kadin members will have the courage to take action against businesspeople who depend on a vested-interest economy. The economy in future should be based on professionalism.

An economy's success cannot be gauged only by profitability but by how far it has improved the people's welfare.

This nation will continue to develop if the welfare of all its component parts continues to increase. Indonesia will experience an economic resurrection if all people, not only a few, are committed. -- Kompas, Jakarta