Govt to start new savings plan for poor

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)