'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.