Addressing Indonesia's Economic Growth in Transitional Era. Do Institutions Matter?

Abstract or Introduction

For decades media as well as citizens frequently listen to the voice of those struggling under what it is called as economics injustice. The story of twenty-two years top and down resources exploitation in Papua, starting from Scott Paper in 1988 until mega development project of MIFEE (The Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate) right now, has caused many severe problems, including human right abuses, environmental devastation and enduring poverty for indigenous people while creating prosperity for immigrant workers. Another story of corruption and gratification from President Soeharto’s era until the end of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s era, covering almost all elements of political elites, ministers, governors, regents and even the prosecutors has led to the crisis of public trust towards the governments. The other story of human trafficking of Indonesian woman labors in Arab world and the high rate of unemployment, 5.7 % (BPS,2014), which is the highest after Myanmar and Philippine among ASEAN countries makes Indonesia as one of the country with a big problem of job opportunity and human resources quality. Such these stories are in no way boosting, rather obstructing Indonesian economy. Consequently, the breakthrough of new transitional government is obviously needed to tackle all these issues, addressing Indonesian economic growth in the middle of emerging market, especially under the transformation of ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, in order to provide economic justice and prosperity for all its citizens. Indeed, the new government cannot work alone to cover 240 million citizens within 34 provinces. It needs the coordination and synergy from all parties, particularly the one having the highest authority and responsibility, government Institutions.