More Asean Economic Community News Expected From Indonesian Journalists

Jakarta, Nov 1. (Antara) - More news about the ASEAN Economic Community are expected to come to promote people`s knowledge about it ahead of its implementation in 2015, an official said. "When the time comes, goods and services, funds, and investment from ASEAN member countries will be freely traded," said Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Teguh Santosa in Jakarta. According to Teguh, a debate is still raging on Indonesia`s readiness in welcoming an ASEAN free market. Optimists believe that the ASEAN free market is a major opportunity for Indonesia to play an important role in the region, in economic, social, and political spheres. "Indonesia`s natural resources and population are considered to be the country`s most significant resources," stated Teguh. On the other hand, pessimists worry that Indonesia is less prepared than other ASEAN member countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. These four countries are considered to be relatively more prepared from competition than Indonesia. Perhaps this is due to their smaller size in both area and population, making economic consolidation, including human resource development, easier in those countries. "Uncertainty is felt and seen both among economic actors and policymakers and especially among ordinary people who still do not understand this discourse. Indonesian journalists at this time should help the community to prepare for the coming era," Teguh added. "After all, the ASEAN economic community is a necessity, whether we like it or not. Indonesian journalists should engage in dialogue on this matter. Reporting on the various elements that still need to be improved will help us all to prepare ourselves," Teguh asserted. Teguh also hoped that the journalist education and training center, to be launched at the commemoration of Press Day in Bengkulu in February 2014, will be one way of encouraging more proactive involvement by Indonesian journalists. The ASEAN journalist training center was proposed by Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI) Chairman Margiono at a plenary meeting on Thursday, Oct. 31. The Permanent Secretary of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists (CAJ) Akhmad Kusaeni said the proposal to establish this training center will be delivered by PWI delegates attending the CAJ General Assembly in the Philippines in the third week of November 2013.