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Indonesian economics minister lashes out at IMF criticism |
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June 10, 2000
JAKARTA, JUNE 9 (AP) - Senior economics minister Kwik Kian Gie Friday lashed out at the International Monetary Fund for accusing the Indonesian government of being inconsistent over financial reform.
"I've been patient for a while with the IMF, but the IMF this time made a baseless statement," Kwik, who was visibly angry, told reporters.
According to local media reports, the IMF's representative in Indonesia, John Dodsworth, said this week that the government must implement its reform program with greater consistency.
He also reportedly said individual ministers should refrain from voicing personal opinions in public that undermine government unity.
Dodsworth told a business luncheon Wednesday that ministers should only debate their differences inside Cabinet meetings.
"The government has to be consistent in implementing its programs and shouldn't voice personal opinions," reports quoted him as saying.
"It should also work as a team, and there shouldn't be too much loose talk going on," he added.
His comments follow a recent flurry of speculation over possible capital controls in Indonesia after President Abdurrahman Wahid raised the issue at a weekly cabinet meeting. Investors dumped Indonesian shares and drove the rupiah lower last week after the story leaked out in Jakarta.
The IMF is currently overseeing sweeping reforms designed to pull Indonesia out of its worst economic crisis in a generation.
Dodsworth also underlined that the IMF would continue to support Indonesia only if it sticks to its reform program.
The failure by Indonesia to implement key reforms in April led the IMF to delay disbursement of crucial loans until last week.
"It is a fact that policy implementation in Indonesia hasn't been very firm and the way in which the economic programs of the government have been presented by the ministers is also not very consistent," he said.
Kwik said Dodsworth should be more specific in his charges.
"He has to point out clearly the government's inconsistencies," Kwik said.
As coordinating minister for economics, Kwik is Indonesia's contact man with the IMF.
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