"We have paid less attention to population since we entered the reformation era," Tony Prasetyantono, an economic lecturer at the state Gajah Mada University, said.Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - The next government needs to be more serious in controlling population growth that could be a key to success in maintaining economic stability, an economist said.
"President Jokowi needs to concentrate more on that issue as the economic challenge is much bigger," Tony Prasetyantono, an economic lecturer at the state Gajah Mada University here said on Thursday.
Tony referred to president elect Joko Widodo , who is to be installed president on Oct 20 to replace President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
He said the impact is not direct but success in birth control has long term effect on the countrys economic growth .
The government has tended to neglect family planning program which was once in agenda of the New Order regime.
Tony said there has been a mechanism to control population growth through family planning program but the mechanism did not work as the government has paid little attention to it.
He said he hopes the next government would revive the family planning program as was during the administration of President Suharto.
"We have paid less attention to population since we entered the reformation era," he said.
He said optimization of control of population growth should be a priority to boost the economic growth now averaging only less than 6 percent annually.
Failure in the family planning program would result in worse unemployment and poverty problems, he said.
He warned that the financial crisis , which still hits major economies like the United States and Europe could have long term impact on Indonesias economy.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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