Economists' involvement in politics 'positive'

Economists' involvement in politics 'positive'

Dadan Wijaksana, Jakarta

Taking sides, rather than staying neutral, is not always a bad
thing. A notion that was perhaps borne in mind by some previously
independent economists, on their decision to campaign for
political parties.

Indeed, nowadays, more and more noted economists are being
drawn into the world of politics. In designing economic programs
for their respective parties, each claims superiority over the
other.

The slow pace of the country's economic recovery seems to have
augured well for parties' economic proposals as they struggle to
secure votes.

Prominent economists, including Sri Adiningsih, Didiek J.
Rachbini, Dradjad Wibowo, Bambang Sudibyo -- all previously
critical of the government's economic policies -- are a few that
seem to fit this category.

Another economist, Sjahrir, has gone even further.

Sjahrir set up a political party last year in what was deemed
to be a reflection of his disgust toward the government's failure
to improve the economy. The party was called the New Indonesia
Alliance Party (PPIB) and, thus, hoping to become one of the
country's core group of decision-makers, Sjahrir set out to fix
things from the top.

Others would probably cite the same reason, including Dradjad
-- who has now secured a legislative seat as a representative of
the National Mandate Party (PAN) and is also a member of the
campaign team for Amien Rais-Siswono Yudohusodo.

"It became clear -- in so many cases, I would voice the things
that I felt strongly about, and receive no response -- I decided
to move 'inside'.

"Now that I've been elected as a legislative member, hopefully
I can do a lot more," said Dradjad, who is also the director of
private think thank, the Institute for the Development of
Economics and Finance (Indef).

Only time will tell whether their mission is successful.

Already, however, there are signs of improvement, according to
economist Raden Pardede, who claims to have no affiliation with
any political party, nor any presidential candidate.

"In their economic platforms, for instance, I find most
programs are able to identify the problems that the country is
facing," Raden said, although he admitted that the platforms were
not comprehensive and failed to outline how economic recovery
could be achieved.

"Maybe -- because it's rather new here -- everything's a
learning process," he said.

Asked whether economists-turned-politicians had a tendency to
be biased, Raden replied:"Of course, but that does not mean that
their economic opinions are influenced as they are still
professionals. It also happens elsewhere in the world.

"The trend is positive actually, because, in the end, this
will lead us toward constructive communication and debates,
whereby people will try to present the best possible programs
that are based on expertise and analysis."