TEMPO.CO, Cikeas, Bogor - Former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) on Thursday, August 27, calls for the government to pay attention to six sectors in an effort to prevent the national economy to be trapped in crisis.
"Growth should be maintained, do not let it slide down. If [growth] is 6 percent and lower it will affect all aspects of life, increase poverty," he said after discussions with media leaders in Cikeas, Bogor, on Thursday evening.
Yudhoyono said efforts to maintain economic growth can be done by keeping the people’s purchasing power and also provide incentives to companies.
"If investment is stalled, then make something that could invite investment back. Give fiscal incentives so we can all move. Make sure government spending expand with right deficits," he said.
Another thing which should be noted by the government is maintaining price stability, said Yudhoyono.
Moreover, with the onset of lay offs, the government must make all efforts so businesses is not easy to perform these steps.
SBY also highlighted the importance of controlling the exchange rate with existing instruments.
“[The Rupiah exchange rate] has past Rp13,000 and Rp14,000, make sure there is a solution and the efforts so people do not panic. If the dollar is too expensive then it will be [difficult for] many companies that borrow money in dollars," said the Chairman of the Democratic Party.
Yudhoyono also said the government needs to consider existing fiscal space and calculate it appropriately.
SBY further said that public confidence had to be developed, among others, with measures taken by the government and implemented without hesitation.
ANTARA
