Jakarta – Economists, legislators and students say the government's performance in bringing prosperity to Indonesians has been far from satisfactory.

Former coordinating minister for the economy Rizal Ramli said Wednesday that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's presidency had failed to bring prosperity to the majority of the Indonesian people.

"Thus, Indonesia needs new leadership," Rizal said during a year-end reflection lecture held by the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI).

"I was very shocked to hear the President say that Indonesia was now on the right track. In fact, it is clear that poverty is still very acute, the Indonesian manufacturing sector is crumbling and the unemployment rate has not been significantly reduced," he said.

"The only economic sector that has been growing is the capital sector, such as the stock or short-time investment obligation markets. There are no more than 200,000 Indonesians working in this sector," Rizal said.

Rizal also said that there were only slight differences between today and the economic crisis era of 1997 and 1998.

"In 1997 and 1998, the economic damage was mostly suffered by large-scale capitalists or industrialists. Today, the big businessmen are not only having a comeback, most of these survivors have become more powerful. On the other hand, common people feel that it has become harder for them to fulfill their livelihoods these days.

"The main reason is the government has failed to stabilize the prices of the people's basic needs. This failure has come as a result of the current government's insistence on implementing a market economy mechanism in Indonesia. Within the market economy mechanism, all capitalists and industrialists will aim to maximize exports and cause massive shortages at home," he said.

Rizal cited kerosene and cooking oil as commodities that are becoming harder to find on the Indonesian domestic market due market mechanisms.

At the same event, legislator Ade Daud Nasution said that Yudhoyono's government had failed to meet its promises, particularly on eradicating corruption in Indonesia.

In its year end statement, which was launched at the event, the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front declared that four things needed to be done.

KAMMI said that Yudhoyono's administration must end its politics of camouflage that hides its flaws, and start making policies that aim to improve the people's prosperity.

They also said the year 2008 should be the moment the nation reiterates its sovereignty and independence by nationalizing the country's strategic assets, providing easy access to education, strengthening the small and medium economic sectors and limiting the scope of the country's economic liberalization.

The group's third point was that new progressive national leaders with youthful spirits who are in favor of national sovereignty and independence, and who posses the ability to manage the nation's potential must come to the fore.

Finally, KAMMI said, all elements of Indonesian society must maintain a critical stance toward the government's policies and performances that conflict with the people's interests. (uwi)