Govt, business need mutual trust
Two dinners that took place here recently are worthy of comment. The first was held by the visiting premier of China, Zhu Rongji, and was attended by Indonesian businessmen from Jakarta and the regions. The room was so crowded that hundreds of businessmen had to be turned away. Guests attending the dinner each had to pay Rp 1 million.
Another dinner was hosted by Muhammad Lutfi, general chairman of the Indonesian Association of Young Entrepreneurs, as a joint breaking of the fast event. It was attended mostly by the new breed of Indonesian businessmen -- enthusiastic and representing various business fields.
These events demonstrate that Indonesia's economic future is not entirely bleak. Businessmen, as the prime movers of our economic recovery, are still keen to develop their companies.
Business may complain about the government's lack of attention but this should be taken as a warning that economic recovery requires the government, the private sector and the people at large to team up and trust one another. The government, on the other hand, tends to associate the corporate world with unseemly practices and self-centeredness.
When effective communication between the government and the business sector fails, misunderstanding and prejudice prevail. In fact, to get out of the crisis, both must work together.
Government and business team up in all market economy countries. In the U.S., President Bush has used the momentum following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to intensify cooperation with American businesspeople to spur the country's economic growth.
In Indonesia, the government must actively cooperate with strategic elements of society, including the business sector. Can we rebuild our economy? Maybe yes, maybe no, but we must try.
It is true that, in the past, we had unscrupulous businessmen who used illegitimate practices. They are responsible for our sinking economy. We must use these bad experiences as a lesson to avoid a recurrence in the future.
-- Kompas, Jakarta