Resolving the crisis more urgent than politics: Poll

JAKARTA (JP): The majority of respondents in a new poll believe that resolving the economic crisis, not politics, should be the nation's top priority.

Conducted by the Institute for the Study and Advancement of Business Ethics, the poll found that 87.3 percent of respondents wished to see the government defuse the economic crisis as the priority, compared to 8.4 percent picking political issues.

Another 2.9 percent said sociocultural problems should be the focus, and 1.4 percent selected security and defense matters.

Most respondent doubted or did not trust the government could overcome the crisis.

The poll tallied opinions 5,000 respondents in 10 major cities.

About 70 percent were aged from 26 years to 65 years, with nearly half of the respondents having at least a high school education.

Most respondents had a monthly household expenditure of between Rp 200,000 to Rp 400,000. Their occupational background was mixed, with about a quarter being traders, 35 percent categorized as employees or workers and 10 percent civil servants.

Respondents were asked eight questions, ranging from the nation's most immediate problems, their trust in the government and the future of the national leadership, and the recent riots.

Reflecting the dire situation faced by everyone in the country, 36.6 percent of respondents said lowering prices of basic essentials was the most pressing need.

The special session of the People's Consultative Assembly, the next general elections, the Armed Forces' dual function and issues of corruption, collusion and nepotism all came in second as urgent matters needing to be addressed.

A leader's background was not an issue for respondents; a whopping 76.9 percent said it was immaterial as long as he or she could resolve the crisis.

Fachry Ali, the institute's director who presented the poll's results here yesterday, warned that the government was coming to a critical juncture in gaining people's confidence.

"The government's credibility is at stake. If the government fails to heed the aspirations of the majority of low-income people, the number of people who have no confidence in it could increase and it is likely a second wave of riots could occur in the future."

He urged the political elite and the government to stop debates on political reform and instead give more attention to defusing the economic crisis.

"Most respondents, 65.3 percent, believe that a second riot could explode in the next few months if the government fails to make changes to the national economy and promote an equal distribution of wealth among the people."

Most respondents believed the riots that rocked the country last May were motivated by economic injustice.

"The last riot could be seen as an expression of dissatisfaction of the widening gap between the haves and the have nots," he said. (rms)