Jakarta – The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) and economic analyst Hendri Saparini have voiced concerns over the government's prolonged import policy, which say could cause a disaster for the national economy.

Speaking at a seminar on food security and the financial crisis in Jakarta on Thursday, Apindo chairman Sofjan Wanandi and Hendri both said Indonesia would likely face a crisis if President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono maintained his export policy, particularly on agricultural commodities.

"The import of agricultural products such as rice, beans, meat, flavors and salt has affected millions of farmers and companies in Indonesia, and we are now facing a disaster because the value of imports is higher than that of exports," Sofjan said, adding that the government's decision to import 2,500 tons of rice this year had pressed local rice prices down, affecting the livelihood of millions of Indonesian rice farmers.

Hendri said the government's import policy was part of its neo-liberal economic policy, which she linked to Vice President Boediono. She also said this model was contrary to the people-centered economy stipulated in the Amended 1945 Constitution.

"Indonesia can implement a people-centered economy by stopping imports of agricultural products and by empowering local companies to explore the rich natural resources, but the President ignored this by appointing Boediono as his economic architect in 2004 and Vice President in 2009," Hendri said. She further added that the neo-liberal policy had begun with Indonesia's past agreement to liberalize trade. (rms)