Economy ruined by corruption, collusion, Moslem ulemas say
Economy ruined by corruption, collusion, Moslem ulemas say
JAKARTA (JP): The influential Indonesian Council of Ulema
(MUI) said yesterday the country's economy has been severely
undermined by chronic corruption and collusion practices.
The ulema also criticized selfish profiteers who only thought
about their own interests.
In a statement, the ulema said the eradication of such
practices was urgent because it resulted in a high cost economy.
"Illegal levies, corruption, collusion, commercialization of
power and complicated bureaucracy... are haram (forbidden),"
chairman Hasan Basri said after meeting with President Soeharto
at his residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.
During the meeting, Soeharto briefed the ulema on his
agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week to
implement drastic economic reforms as part of the US$40 billion
bailout package led by the IMF.
The country's economy has continued to deteriorate in the past
few weeks. Its foreign debts totaled $140 billion, of which $65
billion was owed by the private sector.
Critics have deplored the agreement, saying that Indonesia has
pawned its sovereignty to the world body.
"MUI appreciates the government's seriousness in overcoming
the monetary upheaval... the cooperation package with the IMF
must be continued so that the current situation can be solved,"
said Hasan.
The ulema reiterated the council's edict, issued Sunday, that
speculative money trading just for one-sided profit was
forbidden.
"Keeping certain currency for speculation, and not for public
interests, is not tolerated by (the Islamic) religion," he said.
He reminded Moslems that the alteration of function of
currency from a means of exchange to a trading commodity was
forbidden in Islam.
He also said people were obliged to support government
policies and defend its measures taken to heal the ailing
economy.
"It is time to launch movements to love the country and to
love the rupiah," said the ulema. (prb)