Simple measures to boost confidence

Simple measures to boost confidence

From lawyer Anwar Makarim has come the interesting proposal to start taking some low-cost, simple, swift and practical measures to boost the market's confidence. For example, services at airports -- Indonesia's gateways -- could be improved, starting with the initiation of around-the-clock passport inspection services and opening taxi service windows so incoming passengers are not bothered by scalpers and unlicensed taxi operators.

To establish a limited liability company, a person should not need to see the minister in charge, which can take months to arrange, he should be able to have his business done swiftly at a public notary's office.

A National Judiciary Commission should be established and furnished with a permanent secretariat to register public complaints over court verdicts that are considered unfair. The eradication of corruption, too, is most important to boost businesspeople's confidence in the government, but this cannot be achieved so long as law enforcers show a reluctance in implementing the anticorruption laws.

The public appears to be right in holding the perception that the government has so far failed in the areas of law and politics. This is the dominant factor that is holding up economic recovery, despite the relatively favorable macroeconomic indicators.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta