Joko, Prabowo Tussle in Their Own Q&A

Presidential candidates Joko Widodo, left, and Prabowo Subianto (JG screen grab)

Jakarta. Presidential candidates Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto engaged in an exchange via a question-and-answer session, in a discussion about the state budget.

Joko asks, “What do you think about DAU dan DAK?” in reference to government budget transfers to the regional government.

Prabowo answered, “The DAU [General Allocation Fund] and the DAK [Special allocation fund] have to be increased. That can only be done if state revenue increases. This is what I have been fighting for over the years, to prevent the leaks in state revenue.”

Joko then asked, “What do you plan to do about the budget deficit and trade?”

Prabowo responded, “The trade deficit and state budget deficit is because our wealth has been going abroad.”

Joko also asked, “How would you empower the TPID?”

The TPID is the regional inflation controlling team, which is composed of Bank Indonesia and regional government officials who meet to align their policy in taming inflation.

Prabowo answered, “It needs leadership and good management from the leader.”

Joko had stressed on the importance of having an investor-friendly business climate. Should Indonesia be able to attain this, Joko claimed that the economy can grow above 7 percent.

“It has to be truly open and local investors must have opportunities in it,” Joko said.

Joko added that bureaucratic problems have long hindered business and economic growth in Indonesia.

“In terms of the granting of permits … these days, it takes too long … it has to be shortened so that the economy can progress,” he said.

Joko added that if elected he will develop small and medium-sized enterprises, saying that as a former small-sized entrepreneur, Joko can identify with many of them.

“In the future, our ambassadors should not be merely diplomats, they have to market our countries’ products too, products that are produced from our villages,” Joko said.

“In order for them [small-medium sized enterprises], they need to be pushed by the government. I have been a small-sized industry player for 28 years back in my village,” Joko said.

By Josua Gantan & Dion Bisara on 09:36 pm Jun 15, 2014