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