Habibie upbeat of restoring economic crisis

Habibie upbeat of restoring economic crisis

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie expressed confidence
yesterday that his government would be able to sufficiently
restore the economy and create a clean government within one-year
if there were no further disruptions to the nation.

"If there are no longer riots and demonstrations hampering the
reform process, we hope the Indonesian economy will recover
soon," Habibie said in a dialog with thousands of Balinese people
at the Ulun Danu temple, Batur Kintamani village, 65 kilometers
northeast of Denpasar.

"There will be no more collusion, corruption or nepotism, no
more special facilities for the president, ministers or their
families," the President promised.

The President visited Bali yesterday to open the National
Preselection of the Koran Recital Festival in the predominantly
Hindu province.

Habibie's brimming confidence apparently stems from the fact
that the government just signed the latest agreement with the
International Monetary Fund which will lead the way to the
resumption of the next tranche of funds in the US$43 billion
bailout package.

Accelerate

Habibie said the agreement would help accelerate the country's
reform program, help fund the development process and help return
international market confidence to Indonesia.

"The inflation rate will plunge to less than 10 percent and
bank lending rates return to 9 to 11 percent (next year)," the
President optimistically remarked.

Inflation continues to swell at over 50 percent, while
interest rates are about 58 percent.

Habibie, who took over the post from Soeharto on May 21,
repeated his appeals for public patience and support for his
government, arguing that the situation could not be cured
overnight.

He compared the government's reform program to a fetus which
needs nine months of nurturing and patience before it is born.

Premature birth can endanger a fetus' life, Habibie said,
adding that a fetus' life depends on the treatment it receives.

During the visit Habibie was accompanied by Minister of
Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto and
Minister of Religious Affairs A. Malik Fajar.

In his address, Habibie also apologized for rushing back to
Jakarta that same day.

"In the past, when there was a vice president, the president
could leave Jakarta. But now, if I stay longer in Bali, longer
than scheduled, there will be a power vacuum in Jakarta," he said
smilingly.

Later during the opening ceremony of the Koran recital
selection, Habibie asserted that the bountiful mosaic of cultures
and religions in the country should not become a source of
division.

"We should realize that the differences should not divide us,
but rather bring us closer together," he said while opening the
contest which will run through till Thursday.

Two hundred people from 27 provinces are participating in the
recital. (prb)