TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Businesses are upbeat following the announcements of President Jokowi's and Prabowo Subianto's running mates. Jokowi has tapped Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chair Ma'ruf Amin, while Prabowo appointed Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno.
“There will be no more religious issues that should be feared,” said Eddy Gafeno, the head of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) today.
According to Eddy, there were moments when religious issues had driven investors away from Indonesia. However, the trading industry became stable upon the announcements of the VP candidates.
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Eddy said businessmen feared that frictions in the society would recur due to religious issues, which would affect trading as investors balked at investing.
However, Eddy was bullish that Jokowi and Prabowo would be able to rejuvenate the economy. “We’ll just have to wait who wins the election,” said Eddy.
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The currency market reacted positively to the news of Jokowi announcing Ma’aruf Amin as his running mate and Prabowo selecting Sandiaga Uno. The rupiah interbank exchange rate on Friday morning climbed six points to Rp14,426 from Rp14,432 per US dollar.
AHMAD FAIZ
