Grace D. Amianti, Jakarta – The government is expected to protect the country's economy from the negative effects of global and domestic risks, including the recent rise of intolerance and religious radicalism.

The fear is that the recent increasing incidents of intolerance and terrorism would start affecting the perceptions of investors and businesspeople, which could affect the economy if the government fails to implement strong measures to curb such disruptions.

"Radical and intolerant voices are growing right now, even in sermons during Friday prayers. It seems that these intolerant sermons are the popular ones in our society," said National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Muhaimin Iskandar during a discussion on Monday.

He stressed that the party, along with the largest Islamic organization, Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), would help the government to counter radicalism and intolerant groups. "However, the government should show its seriousness in handling those issues," he added.

At the same event, Sofjan Wanandi, chief economic advisor to Vice President Jusuf Kalla, said businesspeople were actually very confident about the country's economy, as shown through their enthusiasm in participating in the government's tax amnesty.

However, the rising intolerant and fundamentalist voices, which was demonstrated by the large protests against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama last November and December, had somehow affected businesspeople's perception and thwarted their willingness to repatriate their assets.

"With the recent racial and religious conflicts, Chinese investors also choose to wait and see. Some of them have even canceled their investments. I worry that there will be a snowball effect," he said. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/01/23/radicalism-has-dangerous-effect-on-economy.html