Jakarta, NU Online
During his two-year post, President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono has failed to decrease poverty rate following a data mentioning that the poverty rate climbed from 15.75 percent in Februari 2005 to 17.95 percent in March 2006.

“We need such policies to alleviate poverty through comprehensive measures. One of main problems preserving the poverty in Indonesia is that its foreign debt,” Project Officer of Millenium Development Goals & Poverty, Wahyu Susilo told reporters at a press conference at the NU office, Jalan Kramat Raya, 164 Jakarta, Tuesday (17/10).  

<>Present on the occasion, Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, HM Rozy Munir, Chairwoman of Nahdlatul Ulama Young Women Organization, Maria Ulfa, and Chief of Advisory Board of Association of Indonesia’s Trade Union, Saepul Tavip.

Rozy Munir said the poverty may be caused through environmental exploitation carried out by irresponsible individuals. That’s why he expected the Indonesia’s people to take a stand against any actions damaging the beloved country of ours.

At the same time Tavip suggested that President SBY has failed to at least decrease the country’s poverty rate. As a proof, he added, his administration seems to have ignored workers without paying more attention to their rights.

“SBY has such a spirit to accommodate businessmen interests more and more and not the workers. Consequently, the workers' have been most of the time marginalized. They have become victims of the capitalist system,” Tavip said. (dar)