People's economy neglected?

People's economy neglected?

From Republika

President Abdurrahman Wahid's move to invite conglomerates to
return to the country for the sake of economic recovery is a
deviation from the economic reform program. The reform program is
aimed at changing the Indonesian economic system from one based
on conglomerates to a people's economic system which primarily
involves small and middle-sized entrepreneurs.

During former president B.J. Habibie's rule, serious attention
was paid to the people's economic movement, as demonstrated by
former minister of cooperatives Adi Sasono. There was no regard
for the conglomerates (either those which had fled Indonesia or
which remained in the country). It is true that some criticism
was launched against the misappropriation of social safety net
funds, but the losses incurred were small compared to what was
misappropriated by the conglomerates during the New Order era.

If Abdurrahman's government really loves the people then it
should enhance their welfare and should not guarantee that the
conglomerates can resume their business activities to revive the
Indonesian economy.

The new minister of cooperatives, H. Zarkasih Noer, seems to
be sluggish in following up his predecessor's agenda.

H. TENGKU EDWIN HAMDAN

Medan, North Sumatra