Policy Research
Few of the price-distorting mechanisms were recorded centrally and can only be identified on-site, within the locality, making monitoring difficult. Moreover, because local governments have had inadequate local revenue bases, they are easily tempted to restore tariffs and toll barriers, despite the damaging effects on growth and welfare.
If we take time to leaf through the previous five editions of the SMERU Newsletter, it will become apparent how little we have revealed of one of the most important aspects of the crisis, its gender dimension. We are all aware of how important this aspect really is and frequently discuss it. In fact we live with it; yet, we frequently forget to include it in our agenda.
Providing adequate food, clothing and shelter for individuals and their families is one of the basic requirements in any society. Apart from the subsistence economy, to a large extent this is dependent upon people’s capacity to locate some form of income-generating employment.
In early December SMERU will be hosting two important events. On December 6, the Persepsi Daerah team will be reporting on the major findings arising from its numerous provincial surveys on the impact of the regional deregulation process.
Throughout the past eighteen months there has been understandable interest - and considerable debate - about the impact of the crisis on poverty in Indonesia. Many claims and counter claims have been made in the press and elsewhere which have been the cause of some confusion.
