Analyst: Jokowi-JK Have More Realistic Economic Growth Target

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Universal Broker Indonesia research division chief Satrio Utomo stated that presidential hopefuls Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla’s economic growth target of seven percent is more realistic than Prabowo Subianto and Hatta Rajasa’s target of 10 percent.

Satrio said capital market participants want a high economic growth so that market capitalization may increase, but stock market participants, which consist of 400,000 people, find that Prabowo-Hatta coalition is mostly filled with people who failed to generate high economic growth. “That kind of economic growth can only be achieved by new approaches and new people,” said Satrio.

Christandhi Reza Mihardja, analyst from Sinarmas Sekuritas, said Jokowi is viewed by market participants as a clean figure and is ready to execute infrastructure programs while Prabowo is often associated with the New Order and human rights violation. “Human rights violation is a serious problem for foreign investors,” said Reza.

Amir Sambodo, member of Prabowo-Hatta campaign team’s board of experts, responded to negative view by saying that economic optimism in the future is based on industrial strength. In the early stage, this sector is stimulated to reach economic growth above seven percent.

In addition, if Prabowo is elected, he will continue the Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development (MP3EI) which was proposed by Hatta during his term as Coordinating Economic Minister. “This program will be developed further,” said Amir yesterday.

Hashim Djojohadikusumo, member of Prabowo-Hatta campaign team’s advisory board, said Prabowo-Hatta’s vision and mission aim to boost economic growth. “I’ve been a businessman for a long time. Prabowo-Hatta’s vision and mission will attract more foreign investors,” said Hashim, adding that Prabowo-Hatta also promised to enhance infrastructure.

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