More signals needed

The government has, for now, succeeded in strengthening the value of the rupiah against the dollar and in pushing up the stock exchange's composite index. The ten-point program announced on Sept. 3 has proven effective in satisfying the expectations of market players. In addition, there has been good coordination with neighboring countries concerning the implementation of policies, such as project rescheduling and taxation.

The aim of the Sept. 3 package, however, is not just to stabilize the rupiah and resuscitate the stock exchange, but to strengthen the Indonesian economy in its entirety. That being the case, further elucidation of the ten points is needed. Our economic players are anxiously waiting for measures to follow up the Sept. 3 policy package. In a phase such as the present, speed in acting to satisfy those expectations will have a great influence on economic development.

The government must continue to send out clear signals to steer the market in the right direction. This is most important both to prevent speculators from making the wrong interpretations and to revive business enthusiasm in this country. Continuity in sending out such signals invokes trust.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta