Comments on: Jakarta Elections Test Indonesia’s Democratic Maturity http://asiafoundation.org/in-asia/2012/07/25/jakarta-elections-test-indonesias-democratic-maturity/ Weekly Insight and Features from Asia Sat, 15 Jun 2013 06:48:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Ari http://asiafoundation.org/in-asia/2012/07/25/jakarta-elections-test-indonesias-democratic-maturity/comment-page-1/#comment-5298 Ari Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:08:35 +0000 http://asiafoundation.org/in-asia/?p=14490#comment-5298 As an expat living in Jakarta, one issue that intrigued me in the campaign was the complete lack of interest in costing promises. Candidates were frequently making all sorts of expensive commitments, but never with a price-tag attached. No effort seems to have been made - from rival candidates or the media - the hold candidates to account for the budgetary impact of pledges. Thankfully Indonesia's government finances are in decent shape, but if they are to stay that way, a far higher degree of economic literacy needs to be fostered. As an expat living in Jakarta, one issue that intrigued me in the campaign was the complete lack of interest in costing promises. Candidates were frequently making all sorts of expensive commitments, but never with a price-tag attached. No effort seems to have been made – from rival candidates or the media – the hold candidates to account for the budgetary impact of pledges.

Thankfully Indonesia’s government finances are in decent shape, but if they are to stay that way, a far higher degree of economic literacy needs to be fostered.

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