'Hopefully average people will see concrete results'

'Hopefully average people will see concrete results'

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's first 100 days in office
ended on Friday. Despite the new government's efforts to achieve
various targets over this period -- including an anticorruption
drive, resolution of high-profile disputes with foreign investors
and improving the economy -- the public remain unsatisfied. The
Jakarta Post interviewed businesspeople and officials on their
perceptions of Susilo's performance.

Emen Suhaimin, is the owner of a traditional-snack factory in
Kemanggisan Pulo, West Jakarta. His business has a turnover
averaging Rp 2 million (US$218) per day:

I've not felt significant changes during SBY's first 100 days
in office. I don't see the economy improving as yet, and prices
remain high, which is bad for small businesses like ours as it
forces us to reduce production capacity, which in turn hurts
earnings.

Unlike large businesses, we can't just increase the price of
our products just because the price of raw materials rises, as
our customers are mostly average people with limited spending
power.

Still, it's too early to assess the government's performance
at this time. Hopefully in the future average people like us will
actually see concrete results from all the pledges they have made
and benefit from them.

Aviliani, Director of Institute for Development of Economy and
Finance (Indef) :

To date, what the president's economic team has done is only
normative. They have made many promises, but we haven't seen them
implemented. I'm afraid the policies they offer are only a
repetition of pledges made by the previous government.

For example, there has been no significant changes in this
year's state budget. It remains rather conservative, when in fact
a revision in the use of funds in certain areas would have
allowed the creation of more job opportunities. Spending for
development projects is still highly reliant on foreign
financing, which has proven irrelevant to our economic growth.

Macroeconomic stability now resembles that of (former
president) Megawati's era, such as maintaining Bank Indonesia's
promissory notes interest rates (SBI), but lacks attention to
people-oriented economic policies.

Susilo badly needs to modify his economic team, be it through
a reshuffle or applying a stiffer approach to his aides to make
sure that his words will actually be implemented.

Damayanti Hakim Tohir, a trade and investment consultant who
also chairs the Trade & Industry Board within the Indonesian
Business Women Association (IWAPI):

It is hard to determine if the business climate here has
reached a satisfactory level or not.

Susilo still has five years ahead of him. As citizens, we must
be optimistic and concerned with the progress of this nation. It
must start from home especially with our children. As a
businessperson, I want to strive for the best in business because
of my quality and not of my gender.

My expectation of the government is that it should not put off
its programs that relate to the people's interest. It must
improve coordination among ministers, law enforcement, and
achieve their targets as promised.

Jeffrey Mulyono, Chairman of Indonesia's Coal Association
(ABI) and President Director of Berau Coal:

In general, the government has the right plans and intentions
to take the country forward. Of course, it is difficult to see
significant progress within 100 days.

For mining industry people, we see some areas that are moving
in the right direction, such as the program to curb illegal
mining, and the ongoing discussion on government regulation
No.144/2000 on tax policy for coal and gold mining.

Although none of these efforts have made significant changes,
it is good to see the government is trying to do something rather
than doing nothing at all.

Business hopes the government can move faster, especially in
building a more conducive investment climate. Hopefully, the
government can fulfill this expectation.

Sutrisno Iwantono, is head of the Business Competition
Supervisory Commission (KPPU):

Susilo's administration has shown its intention to create a
healthier business competition environment in the country, but
the implementation is yet to be seen.

From several consultative meetings with the KPPU, I can say
that the President has a deep concern for and keen knowledge of
the concepts of healthy business competition and how to implement
them.

The President, for example, has expressed an intention to
implement such policies as preventing monopolies and reducing the
government's involvement in the market. And most importantly, of
course, is forbidding government officials from engaging in
business.

However, I think 100 days is not enough to see the results of
those policies.

Baharuddin Aritonang, is an official with the State Audit
Agency (BPK):

The new administration has yet to show that it has an
understanding on the workings of and the coordination between
state agencies: the executive, legislative and judicial.

In terms of eradicating corruption during the 100-day period,
the government should have consulted and coordinated with the BPK
on how we could have helped in ensuring transparency and
accountability in governmental agencies and state-owned
enterprises.

In relation to law enforcement, the government should also
have coordinated more with the Supreme Court. The government must
not think that it can accomplish its 100-day program on its own,
without cooperation with other state bodies.

I suggest that the President hire staff to advise him on state
agency affairs.