Jakarta. Political parties were called on by a group of economists to disclose their targets in creating jobs, eradicating poverty, taming inflation and boosting growth — with a comprehensive plan to achieve such goals.
“From what we have watched and studied on their campaigns, no party has a comprehensive strategic policy on the economy,” said Hendri Saparini, an executive director at the Center of Reform on Economics (Core), a non-governmental organization focusing on economic policy, in a discussion in Jakarta on Thursday.
Hendri said that current ruling parties will likely miss most of their targets set in the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) for 2009 to 2014.
Average real gross domestic product growth in the past four years was 6.2 percent, below the 6.3 percent target. The nation may again miss that goal, with the government expecting economic growth at 5.8 percent this year.
Unemployment was at 6.25 percent last year, above the 6 percent target. The poverty rate was at 11.5 percent, above the 10 percent target. Only inflation — averaging 5.9 percent in the past four years — was below the RPJMN’s target.
“We are hoping parties disclose their targets on the economy. It is important to assess if they can achieve their targets or not. Based on that, people will or will not vote for that party,” she said.
An estimated 186 million people are expected to vote in the legislative election next month, and many first-time voters could be decisive on the outcome of political parties in picking presidential candidates. Most importantly the country’s political parties are expected to present a comprehensive and detailed view of their economic policies.
“Parties should be more specific in telling their strategy. Let’s say, in job creation. What is their target? How would they achieve that and what sector should be focused on? Don’t just say, ‘We will create new jobs,’ ” said Siti Zuhroh, a political analyst from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).
Achsanul Qosasi, a legislative member from the ruling Democratic Party, admitted that a comprehensive economy strategy is a focus of the party’s campaign, yet there is unlikely to be unanimous agreement.
“Our people are not interested in economic strategy. The issue is for the middle class only. Among the lower-income folks they are happy if we say we will raise their prosperity,” he said.
Achsanul, who is also member of the House of Representatives Commission XI, which oversees financial and banking issues, also said that economic policies can change arbitrarily, depending on the political interest of the ruling party.
Twelve political parties are vying for legislative seats on April 9.
Source/Fuente: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/business/indonesias-political-parties-cal...
