Elections to Determine Indonesia's Economic Future: Kompas Editorial

Jakarta (Antara) - Kompas daily's Friday editorial has warned that this year's general elections will determine Indonesia's success in gaining a double-digit economic growth. That economic growth would only be achieved if the parliamentary and presidential elections could produce a leader, who was not only capable but also brave to take pro-job and and equitable development strategies, the newspaper said. What Kompas has warned of the importance of this year's elections for Indonesia's economic future has earlier been echoed by the University of Gadjah Mada's noted economist, A Tony Prasetiantono. In his recent article published by Kompas, he argued that Indonesia's political stability would be the key for sustainable stability and strengthening of rupiah exchange rate against US dollar. "The prospect of gaining continuing stability is bright. Different from countries like Thailand and Turkey, which are undergoing political instability, Indonesia looks stable and ready for facing the elections," he said. Tony Prasetiantono, currently heading UGM's Economics and Public Policy Study Center (PSEKP), further argued that Indonesia had been experienced with political instability that had damaged its economy in 1998. "We don't want it to reoccur. Now, we have been mature enough and able to undergo such that situation. We must use the momentum of upcoming elections for forming a better government and having a new president with strong leadership," he said. (*)