Legislators asked to acquire greater business knowledge

JAKARTA (JP): Businesspeople called yesterday on the newly elected members of the House of Representatives to acquire a greater knowledge of the economy and business so they can better understand the country's rapidly developing economy.

Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aburizal Bakrie said yesterday the newly elected House members should be more knowledgeable in the current economic situation.

"Not only should they know about macroeconomics, they must also be aware of the microeconomic situation, as it changes rapidly," he said after the swearing in ceremony of the members of the House and the People's Consultative Assembly.

Chief Justice Sarwata, in the presence of President Soeharto, swore in the 500 members of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the 1,000 members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

The MPR comprises the 500 DPR members and 500 presidential appointees representing the political parties, the military, the provinces and nonpolitical groups.

Of the DPR members, 425 are elected while the remaining 75 are appointed by the President from the military, who do not vote.

The MPR will meet in March to choose the President and vice- president, and set out the broad policy guidelines for the next five years.

Bakrie, who was appointed yesterday a member of the Assembly representing the business sector, said having a greater knowledge about the economy would help legislators better communicate with business executives and help them form more effective economic policies.

Special team

Bakrie, also the chief commissioner of the Bakrie Group, suggested a special team be established to handle business and economic issues.

The team, represented by each of the House factions, should understand all aspects of the country's economic activities, said Bakrie, more popularly called Ical.

The team members should also have the capacity to understand global economic activities so they would be more objective in making judgments about the economic situation overseas, he said.

Notable businessman Sudwikatmono said yesterday he was hopeful that the new legislators would help the country's private sector further develop.

President of publicly listed Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa, Sudwikatmono, said he expected the new House members would aspire more to the needs of the private sector in facing tougher challenges in economic globalization in the coming years.

"The new legislative must improve further and adapt to the changing environment," he said.

Both Ical and Sudwikatmono expressed their optimism with the new legislators.

"I'm optimistic they will contribute to the development of our country, as civilians we need to help them and give them as much input as possible, because in them we place our faith," Ical said. (das)