Triple decker project

Triple decker project

From Kompas

According to a report in Kompas, Feb. 25, regarding the planned inauguration of the triple-tier project, it will need funds worth Rp 6.2 trillion (based on a calculation made before the depreciation of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar), an amount which may double or even triple on the basis of the current exchange rate.

As a layman, I feel both concerned and perplexed about the inauguration of the project because our country is in the midst of a serious monetary crisis. This crisis has resulted, obviously, in an uncontrollable drop in value of the rupiah, soaring prices of basic goods and the bankruptcy of a number of companies, large ones and otherwise.

The bankruptcies have resulted in layoffs, which, in turn, are responsible for a higher rate of unemployment. The worst situation of all is that many people in the low-income bracket can no longer afford to buy their daily needs.

I do not disagree with the triple-tier project but I think it would be better to postpone a project of this magnitude to a time when the economy has returned to normal. In this way, the funds originally allocated to finance the project can be utilized for other more important and urgent purposes.

This postponement would be in line with the government's statement that projects requiring huge funds and not placed in the scale of priorities must be postponed.

It would be acutely ironic if the project proceeds while many community members have "dropped down" because they can no longer afford to buy their daily needs. Wouldn't it be better if the funds originally allocated to finance the project were used to subsidize basic needs to alleviate the burden of the community, so that these goods could be affordable to the greater part of the community?

ATLAS SAYOGI

Jakarta