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."