Party for small businesses

Party for small businesses

From Pikiran Rakyat

Small and medium-size businesses, plus the informal sector, locally abbreviated as UKM, are players in the people's economy, which serves as the backbone of the national economy.

Given the confusing political and economic conditions today, government and political circles have come to realize that the role of the UKM needs a further boost.

This encouragement is meant to enhance the role of the UKM in overcoming the protracted economic crisis, particularly in providing job opportunities for those who have been fired and the unemployed. Political parties, noticing this potential, will certainly make the UKM a target of their campaigns ahead of the 2004 general election.

Therefore, I think the time has come for the leaders of the UKM to form a political organization or party of their own, under the motto "from and for the UKM". This party could be called Partai Usahawan Kecil Indonesia (Puskindo), meaning the party of small-scale businesspeople. Its executives should also come from UKM circles.

Through Puskindo, we could elect UKM legislators and nominate members for various positions, from mayor to president. With Puskindo, which would be financed with member contributions, the UKM could channel their aspirations better and achieve the goal of empowering the people's economy more concretely. And sidewalk vendors, among others, would no longer be chased away by security officers.

NURHALIM CHOTIB

Cimahi, West Java