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