Harmoko tells nation not to forget old spirit

JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Harmoko urged the nation yesterday to regain its old fighting spirit to survive future challenges stemming from the current economic situation.

Speaking at a plenary House of Representatives session for the presentation of the 1998/1999 planned state budget, Harmoko said Indonesia had proven it could overcome tough tests in the past and it could do so again.

"History tells us that Indonesia is a nation with resilience to pass tough tests, tribulations and suffering," Harmoko said last night.

"Let's maintain our guarded optimism despite difficulties in the near future. We should never lose confidence that we can overcome the adversities," he added.

Harmoko's speech also marked the resumption of the House sitting after a recess since Dec. 18.

President Soeharto unveiled the planned state budget worth Rp 133.49 trillion, a 23 percent increase from the previous budget.

The government will now seek the House's approval before the state budget comes into effect on March 1.

Vice President Try Sutrisno, his wife Tuti, cabinet ministers, top-ranking government officials and foreign diplomats attended the speech.

Last night's session, which began at 8:15 p.m., was the first to be held in the evening. The unprecedented evening session was due to the Ramadhan fasting month.

In his address, Harmoko said Indonesia was taking on a new test in the form of escalating economic turmoil which has also affected other Asian countries, but predicted that the country will survive.

"If we combine our persistence with the spirit of unity, solidarity and nationalism, we can cope with the present challenges. That was what we did when we were in trouble in the past, and we made it," he said.

He said the nation would even perform better than last year.

But he warned that the monetary turmoil would trigger new problems, including social unrest as a result of massive layoffs prompted by companies severely affected by the crisis.

"The time has come for us to promote social solidarity and patriotism... to join hand in hand to escape this suffering," he said.

He said perseverance and composure amid the mounting crisis would also help the general session of the People's Consultative Assembly in March run safely.

The upcoming fiscal year will be the last stage of the current Sixth Five-Year Development Plan.

Harmoko said this year's state budget should be realistic, given the country must pay its soaring foreign debts due to the rising appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the rupiah.

He urged the government to continue its monetary and banking reforms prudently and reminded officials to be disciplined in carrying out the budget. (amd)