Finance Minister: Indonesia Remains Alert for Global Turbulences  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Although Indonesia's economy has shown improvement compared that that in August, the government admitted that it remained alert to the global situation, which can affect the national economy. Finance Minister Chatib Basri said that the ministry would continue to coordinate with the Coordinating Forum for the Stability of the Financial System (FKSSK) to monitor the global situation.

"Although the condition has been stable in which the policies launched by the Insurance Deposit Agency (LPS), Bank of Indonesia, Financial Services Authority (OJK) and the government have shown positive results, we still think that future risks have to be monitored well and carefully," said Chatib in a press conference after a meeting with FKSSK at the office of the Ministry of Finance, Friday, October 18, 2013.

According to Chatib, what the government is focusing on now is how to take measures to push down the current account deficit and to monitor the development in the banking and capital market sector. "We agree that FKSSK will continue to monitor and take anticipatory measures necessary," he said.

From the fiscal indication, Chatib added, although there are pressures to the target of tax revenues due to the prices of commodities, deficit can still be maintained on a safe level. "Financing from the fiscal aspect is safe. There's nothing to worry about the fiscal aspect," he said.

ANGGA SUKMA | RIRIN AGUSTIA