January 16, 1999
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| January 16, 1999 | atimes.com | |
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| Southeast Asia Out with old politics, in with economic growth, says analyst JAKARTA - While the World Bank predicts that Indonesia's economicgrowth could reach two to three percent in 2000, thesuccess of the prediction will depend on Indonesia's politicalrecovery, as experienced by Korea, Thailand and the United States, an economic analyst says. ''The country's economic growth to date is minus fourpercent,'' Dr. Rizal Ramly, executive director of the Econit advisorygroup, told a seminar on Indonesia's EconomicOutlook. But the trial of former president Suharto could improve international confidence, and become a lesson for thenation on the importance of responsibility. ''If there is no trial for Suharto, the domestic andinternational community will not trust us (the government)anymore,'' Ramly said. Additionally, he said, elimination of any kind of nepotismand misuse and abuse of power are also important. On the importance of free and fair elections, Ramly noted there was little political goodwill. On the topic of leadership, Ramly said the country to datestill did not have a strong one. President B.J. Habibie'sleadership remained susceptible to social and politicalconflict. During 1998, there were 1,993 student protests, 1,287people protests, 496 labor strikes, and 48 other forms ofsocial unrest. ''Other leaders who came out recently are not strong yet,such as Gus Dur, Amien Rais, and Megawati. Therefore, it isdifficult to expect economic recovery,'' Ramly said. (Asia Pulse/Antara) | |||||||||
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