Toward the end of Indonesian-IMF ties

Toward the end of Indonesian-IMF ties

The Indonesian people have been eagerly awaiting whether or
not the government would end its ties with the Washington-based
International Monetary Fund (IMF). Some quarters have said that
if the government extends its cooperation with the Fund, Jakarta
would likely be trapped again in the foreign money lender's
interests.

However, if Indonesia ends its ties with the IMF, is Jakarta
ready to anticipate another economic crisis without the IMF's
help?

National Development Planning Board chairman, Kwik Kian Gie,
expressed his confidence that Indonesia is ready to face the
consequences to pay all its debts if it ends its ties with the
IMF. Kwik said Indonesia can pay its debts of US$ 9 billion as
the country has foreign exchange reserves of up to US$ 34
billion.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri said the country should
maintain its political stability and security if it wants to be
free from the unfavorable IMF program.
-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta