Our political agenda and the economy

Our political agenda and the economy

Foreigners will always be wary of the political agenda that we are carrying out -- especially when that agenda can cause instability. At the same time, we cannot disavow the predominant influence of overseas factors on our economy. We therefore hope that whatever that political agenda may be, all of us, especially our politicians, make every effort to minimize the adverse impact it may have on the growth of our economy.

This is the reality that our politicians must be aware of so their respective agendas will not upset our efforts to rebuild the economy from the destruction which the economic crisis has caused. President B.J. Habibie's decision to validate the results of the June 7 ballot, for example, may not be a popular one among our politicians. Yet, the decision had to be taken to end the uncertainty concerning the elections and prevent it from upsetting our economic rehabilitation program.

Whatever the differences, our economic and political agendas must be made to run parallel with each other and not obstruct one another.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta