On Kwik's writing

On Kwik's writing

From Kompas

Mr. Kwik Kian Gie's article in Kompas of Oct. 19 is quite informative and analytical. So as a regular reader of his articles, I have been tempted to give my response.

Chronologically Kwik dwells on the policies of the reform government in experimenting with the development of a distribution line and concludes that the result is considered very bad. There is a point I wish to express my disagreement on, namely posing the role of cooperatives vis-a-vis the interest of common people.

In my opinion this writing is a-priori in nature and smacks of ethnicity, religion, race, inter-grouping sentiments (SARA). I realize that Kwik does not represent non-indigenous entrepreneurs, as in many of his articles he has launched attacks on non-indigenous business tycoons for enjoying too many facilities. However, this time his a priori attitude is excessively dominant.

I believe the present policy pursued by the government is already moving in the right direction, namely providing the widest opportunities for the development of small enterprises and cooperatives, although the result of this policy has yet to come up to expectations. This "political will" has been dreamed of for a long time by the people. Well, if you don't believe me, you may organize polling on this matter.

"The political will" of the government to create the widest opportunities for small-scale enterprises and cooperatives was unimaginable during the New Order era. What was very obvious then was business cronyism with the result that the non-indigenous businesses could grow well. If Kwik posits the government's effort to develop small enterprises and cooperatives against the interest of common people, this is, I believe, erroneous. The government's political will is already on the right track, namely taking sides with small enterprises and cooperatives. Indeed, it is true that the implementation of this policy may still give the impression that it is experimental. I am convinced that, as has also often been stated by minister of cooperatives and small and medium enterprises, the development of the distribution line in favor of cooperatives and small enterprises is not meant to scrap the existing distribution line. All are given the opportunity. However, as the starting points are different, there must be an incentive of some sort to small enterprises and cooperatives, among others, in the form of a conducive business climate.

Perhaps the most appropriate statement is that a new level of equilibrium is needed for all business players in Indonesia on all business scales. What is left ow is only how to implement all this.

NANI DJUNAIDI

Manager of BMT Fatahillah Cooperative