VP : GOVT COALITION'S EFFECTIVENESS BEING 'TESTED'

Jakarta, March 25 (ANTARA) - Vice President Boediono said the effectiveness of the political coalition formed by the government was now "being tested."
Speaking at the "Economist Conference to Hold Indonesia Summit 2010" here on Thursday, Boediono said "it is not a secret anymore that the effectiveness of the Democrat Party-led coalition is being tested."
But he said he was confident the coalition would eventually run normally again with the passage of time.

He said the Democrat Party did win the 2009 general election in one round with 61 percent of the vote but the party only led with 27 percent of the vote with the rest going to the other parties in the coalition.

"The coalition at present is not functioning effectively but through the democratic consolidation being endeavored by the government, I am optimistic that the coalition will ultimately become effective," the vice president said.

Although the coalition now was not effective, Boediono said, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's popularity remained high and this was having a positive impact on regional and national economic growth.

He added that the government had in a comprehensive way initiated a number of economic programs and some of them had already yielded tangible results.

The Economist Conferences to hold the Indonesia Summit here on Thursday presented prominent speakers among others Vice President Boediono, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Industry Minister MS Hidayat and the Head of Investment Coordinating Agency Gita Wirjawan.

Economist Conferences, a division of the Economist Intelligence Unit, is the leading provider of international forums for senior executives seeking new insights into strategic issues.

These meetings include industry conferences, management events and government round tables held around the world.

Each meeting organized by Economist Conferences delivers objective and informed analyzes and serves as a high-level forum where senior executives can gain insights, exchange views and compare strategies.