Indonesia no longer a model for developing countries: Minister
Indonesia no longer a model for developing countries: Minister
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and
Poverty Alleviation Haryono Suyono bitterly told representatives
of eight developing countries he was not ashamed to confess that
Indonesia was world renowned not because of its success but
because of its prolonged crisis since 1997.
"Indonesia is world famous not because it discovered a hybrid
species of livestock or because its athletes won a world sport
championship, but rather because it is unfortunate enough to have
experienced one of the worst... crises (in its) 54 years of
existence," the minister said while opening a joint meeting of
experts and decisionmakers from eight developing countries, known
as the D-8, on Friday.
The D-8 group comprises Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Iran, Egypt, Nigeria and Turkey. Its establishment
was proposed by then Turkish prime minister Necmettin Erbakan in
1996. Its first summit was held in Istanbul in 1997.
Indonesia was often regarded as one of the best models for
developing countries. That was before the economic crisis hit the
country in 1997, which was followed by a political crisis that
preceded the fall of former president Soeharto in May last year.
On behalf of poor countries, Soeharto often urged
industrialized countries to write-off the debts of developing
nations and help them in rebuilding their country.
"Our per capita income has gone back to its former place in
the poor countries group," the minister said. The income per
capita dropped from about US$1,000 to $400 after the crisis.
Haryono recalled how riots and clashes occurred in many parts
of the country, which then forced Soeharto to step down. Soeharto
was later replaced by B.J. Habibie.
"Even until the present, the political strings remain very
tight after we successfully conducted our (June 7) general
elections," the minister said.
He then disclosed the lists of policies the government
launched to reduce people's suffering, including the provision of
cheap and subsidized basic foodstuff and massive labor intensive
projects.
"However, what looked good on paper does not always work out
there in the field," the minister conceded.
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) recently announced
a $50 million expansion in its relief efforts to feed 1.7 million
people in Indonesia. The emergency operation started early last
month and will last until June next year.