PEOPLE NEED QUALITY, NOT FIGURES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH: OBSERVER

Jakarta, June 24 (ANTARA) - Economic observer Revrisond Baswir said the leaders should not only talk about economic growth figures, but the quality of growth as well.

"Talking about economic growth figures only serves the interest of those with capital, but not those of the people in general," Baswir said when asked to comment on the promises made by presidential candidates to raise the economic growth to seven percent.

He said that for many people the quality of economic growth was far better than high or low economic growth. The government has set a target of 5.6 percent this year.

Presidential candidates however expressed optimism that the economic growth could exceed the figure, namely six to seven percent in the next several years.

Asked about whether the presidential candidates' targets were realistic, the economic observer said that it would depend on economic conditions and sources of revenues.

"Whether or not it is realistic would depend on their strategy. The quality of growth could be judged from the financing sources and receipts of the economic growth," he said.

In the meantime, economic observer Dr Fredrick Benu said that the economic growth targets set by the presidential candidates for the next five years were too high.

"In the coming five years the country's economic growth will increase if there is no economic turmoil yet it is impossible to reach over six percent, not to mention two digits," Fredrick Benu of the Nusa Cendana University said.

Fredrick Benu said that although macro economic indicators were relatively conducive, the average economic growth in the next five years will not exceed six percent.

"I think there is nothing unsual in their programs, their programs even tend to be monotonous. What appears to be different is the way they communicate with the public," he said.