Few stimuli in new state budget

Few stimuli in new state budget

How to appraise the government's objective of encouraging
development through the new state budget? Many people doubt this
can be achieved. With a budget deficit as large as 5 percent of
gross domestic product (GDP) there isn't much money left to
realize such an objective. However, to investors, either domestic
or foreign, the most important factor is that political stability
and security have not been established. The political intention
to do so has often enough been expressed, but tangible results
remain absent.

The degree to which security can be established in this
country is in direct proportion to the confidence that investors
have in Indonesia. This is the most important factor that
determines the level of realizable investment in Indonesia. A
greater sense of security would also induce larger consumer
expenditure, while the growing confidence would bolster the
exchange rate of our rupiah and make it easier for us to repay
our foreign debts.

In essence, everything depends on the return of political
stability and security in this country. Hopefully, the government
will succeed in its efforts in this respect.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta