Loans and foreign control

Loans and foreign control

From Media Indonesia

Indonesia has become the focus of world attention following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Aceh. One of the manifestations of sympathy is the debt moratorium approved by the Paris Club.

Indonesia requested such a suspension from the club seven times from 1996 to 2002. The debt rescheduling this time is accompanied by soft loans for the reconstruction of Aceh and North Sumatra.

Economic ministers are proud of the new loans obtained for the state budget, totaling US$2.8 billion plus $0.7 billion for the Aceh rehabilitation.

It is obvious that the aid provided is inseparable from the national interests of donor (creditor) countries, with their agendas that make poor nations like Indonesia dependent on debts.

The terms and conditions for such foreign loans may harm the interests of not only Aceh but also Indonesia. It is not impossible for them to control the reconstruction efforts according to the agenda of secularization under the disguise of democracy.

CITA ASIH LESTARI Bandung