Stop hunting for dollars!

Stop hunting for dollars!

From Media Indonesia

The country's media report daily on the changes in U.S. dollar
exchange rates against the rupiah. They also show photographs and
scenes where people exchange rupiah for dollars. From day to day
things do not get better. The situation has reached a state of
hysteria.

Nearly the whole community, which had been quiet before, has
joined in the panic. The rate of the dollar against the rupiah
has risen to frenzy, maybe as a result of media reports.

An article written by economist Kwik Kian Gie, who has advised
on holding on to our rupiah, has remained unheeded. Must the
situation continue like this? Certainly not. It is necessary that
the community becomes calm again. It is the responsibility of us
all.

In this context I would like to suggest that all media stop
their reports on dollar rates and the hunting for currency. It is
time for the media to unite to calm the lay community. We live
and die in Indonesia. Let us show our love for our country by
changing our dollars, if we have any, to rupiah.

Long live the rupiah. Long live Indonesia!

ALEX KURNIAWAN

Jakarta