Govt to start new savings plan for poor

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto will launch on Monday a new savings plan designed specifically for the poor.

Minister of Population Haryono Suyono gave few details about the Tabungan Keluarga Sejahtera (Prosperity Family Savings) plan. He said it encourages the poor to put aside money, starting with a small amount.

They are expected to save Rp 100 a month in the beginning and then work their way up to Rp 100 a week and then Rp 100 a day, Haryono said after meeting with the head of state.

The savings plan will be administered by the state-owned PT Pos Indonesia which has post office outlets throughout the country.

Wealthy businesspeople will be invited to attend the launching and are expected to contribute to the plan by providing incentives, Haryono said.

The signatories of the Bali Jimbaran Declaration will be among those invited, he said. The tycoons pledged last month to support the government's effort to eradicate poverty.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad, Bank Indonesia Governor Soedradjad Djiwandono, Bank BNI President Winarto Sumarto and PT Pos Indonesia President Cahyana Ahmadjayadi were also present at the meeting.

Haryono said he is optimistic the savings plan will be a success.

He pointed to his success in popularizing family planning in the early 1970s as the source of his optimism. (emb)