What shall we do? We can start from you…

Rupiah has nearing its psychological level of Rp 10,000. It definitely will affect this country’s economy, even politic. But no one could really tell what will happen. Learning from past experience, it could be another rush. But, again, no one could tell.
One may say that it’s a simple problem with a simple solution. However we should not simplifying the fact that it affects all and each life of the country’s 200 million citizens.

Let me make a conclusion on what has happened.

It started when the government deliberated commercial banks to boost development back in the early 1980s, authorizing banks to do whatever they feel effective to do so.
The banks could invest on any companies intend to expand the business or buy the government bonds, stocks or play in foreign exchange. But instead, they opt to provide consumer loans because it’s a fast lane to rake profit in no time. I can say “fast money”, with high risk, nevertheless. But it’s much convincing rather than the other options, which could only work in long-term investment due to complicated regulations, high taxes, and red tape, although those investments are much safer.

The mushrooming consumer loan services, -- you name it you get it: credit cards, electronic goods, house loans, car loans, etc -- drives us to get tangled in the full throttle of consumerism. And why not if with only Rp 500,000 down payment we can bring home a brand new motorcycle or the newly released MPV with Rp 7 million.
If we need bigger car park, just get another bank loan to buy another house in the suburbs with luxurious facilities. As long as you are not applying for small-and-middle enterprises credit, banks would hardly ever reject you.

Now, with houses to be lit (meaning more electricity) and vehicles to be fueled, wouldn’t it be fair if the government provided us with subsidized fuel? Cheaper fuel prices would enable us to pay the monthly installments, right?

Alas, the world market won’t understand this. The oil price rocketing certainly put the state coffers in a mess. Rupiah exchange rate against American dollar is plunging, a condition which may pose no problem should Indonesian’s foreign loan is not in dollar. If the state reserve fund channeled to pay the margins and fuel subsidy, what else this country have left?

Trapped in its “chicken and egg” condition the government created itself, now the government has no other choice but to cut the fuel subsidy, giving us no breathing space after the March fuel price increases.

Do I hear another outcry? Do I see another marching on the streets asking for cheaper fuel price?

Wait please. We as people of Indonesia have to try to give solution. Not just raise more complaints to the clouds.

What shall we do, then? I don’t say it is simple. But we can start from simple thing. Such as: not becoming a consumerism believer. Do smart buy. Do not purchase many cars, do not use massive credit cards, use the BBM effectively, be aware of the environment, everything from every single thing.

I call this self-starter “Cell Awareness”. Any responsible individuals start to see matters clearly, be honest and be cooperative with our nearest community. Once we do these, it will affect our neighbors and, in time, the whole nation or the global society, just like in the domino effect.

So, to fight back the “chicken and egg” conditions that nurtures consumerism which working like “domino effect” into worst case to our nation, we have to encounter this bad “domino effect” with our “Cell Awareness” and expecting good “domino effect”.

It’s just a thought of mine.