Massive Demos In Several Areas, Indef Economists Call The Motives Stomach Problems

JAKARTA - Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) Esther Sri Astuti assessed that stomach problems have triggered massive demonstrations in a number of parts of Indonesia.

Esther denied that the cause of the demonstration was due to foreign interference that did not want Indonesia to become a developed country.

"If we see what, the motive for the demonstration in the DPR Jakarta and then expand in several cities. Is it true because there are foreign interference or there are groups that do not want Indonesia to advance. Well, it turns out that (the cause) is a stomach problem," Esther said in a public discussion entitled "Indonesia at Intersection: Inequality, Fiscal Reform and the Future of the Economy" online, Monday, September 1.

According to him, land and building taxes (PBB) in a number of areas have increased dramatically. It has also sparked emotions from the community.

"Then it was said that there was an extraordinary allowance for DPR members," he said.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, said Esther, the Employment Act does not provide proper protection for workers.

"On the other hand, there are also continuous layoffs and here the eligibility value of income from a worker is no longer there," he said.

He also did not deny that the decisions taken by the current government could not completely reduce the anger of the community.

Pasalnya, kata Esther, dengan permintaan maaf yang telah disampaikan, lalu mendatangi kediaman almarhum Affan Kurniawan yang meninggal ditabrak aparat polisi hingga mencopot beberapa anggota DPR, masyarakat belum sepenuhnya puas dengan upaya pemerintah tersebut.

"Saya rasa keputusan yang diambil oleh pemerintah saat ini dengan minta maaf datang ke rumah almarhum Affan, kemudian mencopot beberapa anggota DPR yang memicu aksi anarkis dari masyarakat atau demonstran itu masih kurang. Yang perlu dikeluarkan (pemerintah) adalah kebijakan lebih ekspansif, ya," jelas Esther.

"Jadi, kebijakan ekspansif ekonomi ini yang masih kami tunggu," pungkasnya.

The reason, said Esther, was that with the apology that had been conveyed, then came to the residence of the late Affan Kurniawan, who was hit by police officers and removed several members of the DPR, the public was not fully satisfied with the government's efforts.

"I think the decision taken by the current government by apologizing for coming to the house of the late Affan, then removing several members of the DPR who sparked anarchic actions from the public or demonstrators was still lacking. What needs to be issued (the government) is a more expansive policy, yes," explained Esther.

"So, we are still waiting for this economic expansion policy," he concluded.