Indef Suggestions For High Growth In Quarter III Economic Growth: Significantly Increase The Salaries Of ASN, TNI, And Police

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) economist Sugiyono Madelan Ibrahim gave four suggestions so that economic growth in the third quarter of 2021 remains high, despite the imposition of level four Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).

"At least this step will prevent economic growth in the third quarter of 2021 from falling," said Sugiyono, quoted from Antara, Monday, August 9.

First, he suggested that the government pay all arrears of the Health Social Security Administering Body (BPJS) and arrears of hospital payments related to handling COVID-19, to pay the incentive arrears of all health workers.

"This step can increase consumption and investment related to public health," he said.

Second, Sugiyono continued, the government was asked to be able to make all types of social assistance (bansos), including prosperous rice (Rastra) in cash.

Third, the government is advised to significantly increase the salaries of State Civil Apparatus (ASN), TNI/Polri, and retirees, as well as pay the educational incentive fund for School Operational Assistance (BOS).

"This second and third thing is to increase household consumption expenditure as a driver of the Indonesian economy," said Sugiyono.

Furthermore, the fourth, according to him, is that the government can immediately disburse State Capital Participation (PMN) funds, especially those under the National Economic Recovery (PEN) program.

With this PMN, SOEs will be able to qualify for loans from banks to increase their capital expenditure (capex) budget and be able to pay arrears to third parties, such as the private sector and MSMEs.