Results of MPR General Session

Results of MPR General Session

From Neraca

The present General Session of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) differs from previous sessions because it has
convened amid concern over all areas of the country's affairs.
Not only is the economic crisis giving cause for concern, but
there is a more serious crisis of confidence in the government.

Amazingly, the cost of the 11 day MPR General Sessions is said
to exceed Rp 40 billion. Determining the fate of the nation and
the state are bound to incur a cost, but the size of the sum
spent has given rise to further skepticism among an electorate
who already have doubts about the government's ability to manage
the crisis.

These doubts are reflected in foreign exchange trade. During
the initial days of the Session, the rupiah-dollar exchange rate
fell from Rp 8,800 to Rp 10,300. Then, a few days ago it crashed
through Rp 12,000 to the U.S. dollar.

Meanwhile, TVRI's coverage of the MPR Session clearly showed
legislators chatting among themselves, calmly reading newspapers
and, worse still, sleeping.

Connecting the above points, the cost of the event and the
activities of the members, it stands to reason that the community
has become skeptical. It is logical that people who are
experiencing difficulties in meeting their everyday needs see the
activities as wasteful.

They may feel that if the money were used to subsidize staple
foods, it would help solve the problem of meeting their daily
needs amid rapidly rising prices.

The attraction of the 1998 MPR Sessions for the community at
large is not the Session program. People eagerly await the
results of the Session so that their daily lives can return to
normal.

However, many people are not convinced that conclusion of the
General Session will solve their problems in an effective way.

The media have recently reported that the next tranche of IMF
aid will be delayed until after the line-up of the new cabinet
becomes known. If the choice of cabinet ministers is not right,
in the sense that it does not follow the adage of "the right man
in the right place", and the aid is withheld, it will only
prolong the crisis and destroy the people's hope.

SUMARSONO

Jakarta