Student frustration and dialog
Student frustration and dialog
From Merdeka
Accompanying the current monetary crisis in Indonesia have been manifestations of student frustration; young people demanding economic and political reforms and requesting a dialog with the President.
This phenomenon seems to have a 30-year cycle. In 1966 students undertook similar activities. One of their demands then was the lowering of prices of primary needs.
Student actions and words have to be studied if they are to be effective in solving the problems or they will only be a waste of time, energy, money and even lives.
In my opinion it would be more effective and economical if students communicate through the media. A Rp 300 (4 U.S. cents) or Rp 700 stamp will serve the purpose.
As a student in political science at the UPBJJ Palembang Open University on Bangka island I wish to contribute my thoughts on the present situation and the country's development.
The root of the monetary crisis was that the wheels of the economy were not running as they should have been. Like a car with a tire that has swellings on it, it will not run perfectly and will damage other components so that in time it will break down and not reach its destination.
To repair the wheels of the economy let us consider a popular macroeconomic theory, namely savings = investment and leads to full employment opportunities. This will enable the economy to run as it should.
Observations in the field of banking show that many banks, especially private ones, succeeded in motivating the community to save by offering attractive incentives. But there was not enough investment so there was not enough employment.
The situation is similar in the provinces. I have observed a private bank on Bangka island that nearly every day sends four to six cases of money to Jakarta. The money sent from the provinces to Jakarta is further transferred abroad by the banks for investment. We all know about capital flight to foreign countries.
Is the essence of national development not the development in the provinces in order to strengthen the fundamentals of the economy? Does it make sense if development is mainly concentrated in Jakarta or in Java by sucking capital from savers in other provinces?
JOHAN
Pangkalpinang, Bangka