Suggestions to DPR and the President
Suggestions to DPR and the President
From Sinar Pagi
Having observed the current situation and condition of the people in our country, I would like to contribute my ideas to the House of Representatives (DPR) and President B.J. Habibie, which I hope would bring about some improvements to the ailing economy.
* Ban export of all basic commodities, so that the country will not experience scarcity of those goods and prices will stabilize.
* Despite the IMF's requirement do not lift the government's subsidies for basic commodities, in the interest of the people's stomachs.
* Do not tolerate high prices of staple foods on the pretext of enhancing business in the agricultural sector when in real life, the people's economy goes from bad to worse.
* All earnings gained from tapping into natural resources such as forests, minerals, etc. by the government and the private sector (estimated at billions of U.S. dollars) should be made transparent and written in the state budget.
* Liquidate all troubled banks and lift the central bank's subsidies to banks which have plundered the people's money.
* The government should stop its policy of "borrowing from Bill to pay Paul". Instead, check corruption and capital flight.
* All government policies should be in the interest of the people. The central bank should supervise and exchange dollars gained by exporters to rupiah to strengthen the rupiah.
* Remove government officials whose decisions are not made for the sake of the people and, even further, take them to court.
* Revoke Law No. 2/1998, which restricts freedom of expression, as it is contrary to the democratic principle and reform ideals.
* The DPR should produce clear-cut laws stipulating that officials can be asked for their accountability, even after they have retired, if they are found to have committed some crimes.
It should be well understood that it is a big sin for the government to let the people suffer.
PERMIWAN GLORIANA
Tasikmalaya, West Java