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Indonesians should follow the Japanese in curtailing foreign businesses: Prabowo
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 05/24/2009 3:10 PM | Business
Prabowo Subianto said Sunday American retailer Wal-Mart's collapse in Japan was a good example for Indonesia of scaling back the expansion of foreign retailers while simultaneously supporting local market traders in the country.“What the Japanese did was a good example of nationalism. They knew that shopping at Wal-Mart would be bad for local farmers and stores,” said the running mate of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri at a talk show held at The Jakarta Playhouse (GKJ).
Reuters earlier reported that Wal-Mart would be closing up to 20 unprofitable outlets and cutting 6 percent of its workforce as it struggles in Japan.
“I realize that we can hardly stop foreign incursion. Indonesia plunged into the global market so long ago; therefore, we cannot stop all imports very easily. And we could possibly collapse if foreign countries declined to accept our exports,” the Great Indonesia Movement Party's (Gerindra) patron said.
“We just have to remember that if we shop at foreign superstores, our farmers and small market traders will cry. The Japanese example is a good example of nationalism. If we follow suit, foreign expansion can be curtailed,” Prabowo said. (bbs)
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John Ralph (not verified) — Tue, 05/26/2009 - 11:22am
Prabowo is considered a joke in Indonesia.
He still thinks he is related to the King of Indonesia.
Prabowo has made billions and must be bored.
Mega showed her true colours by joining with this cowboy.
Joe — Mon, 05/25/2009 - 7:27am
And what will Prabowo say if other countries return the favor and stop buying Indonesian-made furniture, paper, pineapple, etc, etc? That it's the evil bule trying to colonize Indonesia again?
Playing the xenophobia card will have only very short term benefits. Unfortunately, Indonesian politicians are well known for their short-sightedness.
BTW, how much aid does Indonesia receive every year from foreign countries? Will that be rejected also?
David, Jakarta (not verified) — Sun, 05/24/2009 - 5:07pm
Wow! This Pak Prabowo is a sharp one. He wants Indonesia to follow Japan's economic collapse which resulted in the withdrawal of the Wal-Mart supermarket chain. The bankruptcy of the chain had nothing to do with nationalism but with there being no money for people to spend in its stores, pak.
It is also ironic that he wants Indonesia to follow the lead of Japan, which is...er...foreign, while in the same breath cursing foreign ideas encroaching on Indonesian culture.
God help us if these two ever take power.